News

Vancouver Bandits Sign UBC Okanagan All-Time Leading Scorer Jalen Shirley

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:45:00 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has signed the University of British Columbia Okanagan’s (UBCO) all-time leading scorer and assist leader Jalen Shirley to its roster for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

A six-foot guard from Brampton, Ont., Shirley was invited to participate in the inaugural Bandits University Combine, hosted by the club to identify players to invite to training camp and add to its roster for the upcoming 2026 season. Shirley was one of 40 student-athletes from local universities, earning a spot on the Bandits 2026 training camp roster, beginning on May 5.

“At our combine, Jalen stood out for not getting sped up and playing with control,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “We are thrilled to bring him in and give him the platform to develop into a top-tier professional as he transitions from university to the next level.”

He averaged 20.8 points per game in his final season (2025-26), which ranked second in the Canada West conference, as well as 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 34.4 minutes played per game across 23 games and starts. His play earned him Canada West Third Team All-Star honours. Shirley finished his six-year university career as the UBCO Heat’s all-time leader in points and assists, while ranking second all-time in steals, and received the school’s men’s Graduating Athlete of the Year award.

“Jalen is an elite U SPORTS point guard who plays the game with solid poise and pace. In pick-and-roll situations, he plays with flow and gets to his spots,” added Julius.

Fans will get their first chance to watch the Bandits’ new-look roster in a charitable preseason game on Saturday, May 9 at 5:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre when the club faces the Sikh Warriors from ESPN’s The Basketball Tournament. Preseason tickets are on sale at this link , with proceeds benefitting the Bandits Community Foundation.

The Bandits open the 2026 CEBL season on Thursday, May 14 on the road in Saskatoon before coming home for its Home Opener against the Edmonton Stingers on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. A full game schedule can be viewed here .

Bandits Single Game Tickets and additional 2026 ticket options can be purchased here .

All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, the CEBL Mobile app, the CBC Gem app and the CBC Sports YouTube channel. Marquee games will air nationally on CBC TV.

Vancouver Bandits Sign UVic Vikes Standout Shadynn Smid

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:45:03 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed University of Victoria Vikes standout and former U SPORTS national champion Shadynn Smid for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

A 6-foot-7 forward from Duncan, B.C., Smid has spent the last four years playing post-secondary basketball with the University of Victoria. He helped lead the Vikes to a U SPORTS Final 8 appearance in each of his four years with the program, a run that included three Canada West conference championships and a U SPORTS national championship in 2024-25.

Smid was one of 40 men’s basketball student-athletes invited to the Bandits University Combine , hosted by the club to identify players to invite to training camp and add to its roster for the upcoming 2026 season. The signing marks Smid’s first-ever professional contract and he will join the club for 2026 Training Camp, commencing on Tuesday, May 5.

“Shadynn is a rare combination of elite athleticism and growing skill. He was one of the best players in Canada and we think he can impact winning for us right away,” said head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. “Shadynn is an explosive athlete who brings a relentless motor every time he steps on the floor. He embodies our team’s culture and we are excited to get to work with him.”

He started 25 of 26 games in the 2025-26 season, averaging 13.4 points and pulling down a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game en route to earning Canada West Second Team All-Star honours. Prior to his post-secondary career, Smid attended Cowichan (now Quw’utsun) Secondary.

Internationally, Smid represented Canada at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games where he competed in 3x3 basketball.

As part of the CEBL’s long-standing partnership with U SPORTS, Canadian men’s basketball student-athletes can be signed to CEBL Developmental Player Contracts therefore retaining a student-athlete’s post-secondary eligibility.

Vancouver Bandits & PerfectLens Renew Season Presenting Partnership for 2026 Season

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:52:59 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that Vancouver-based contact lens supplier, PerfectLens , has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Canadian professional basketball by extending its season presenting partnership of the Bandits for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

PerfectLens has partnered with Bandits Basketball since 2020 when its inaugural year of partnership was announced prior to the CEBL Summer Series.

The focus of PerfectLens’ partnership with British Columbia’s professional basketball team is to contribute to the game day experience at Vancouver’s home venue of Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre (LEC) and to support basketball communities throughout the Lower Mainland. PerfectLens supported Bandits Community Foundation’s School Tour, a free program for high schools where Vancouver Bandits head coach Kyle Julius visited over 160 teams in three years.

The upcoming CEBL seasons represent the seventh year of partnership between the Bandits and PerfectLens.

“Since day one, our partnership with the Vancouver Bandits has been about more than visibility, it’s been about impact. Over the past six years, we’ve had the opportunity to support basketball at every level, from the energy inside Langley Events Centre on game day to meaningful community initiatives like the Bandits School Tour. We’re proud to continue building alongside an organization that shares our values of accessibility, community and growing the game across British Columbia,” said PerfectLens President Mitsuhiro Shigeno.

As the club’s Official Contact Lens Supplier since 2020, PerfectLens will be promoted on Bandits game days at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre with a co-branded logo lock at centre court and on the team’s shorts for both home and away games against CEBL competition in each of the league’s nine other markets in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Brampton, Niagara (St. Catharines), Scarborough (Toronto), Ottawa and Montréal.

Bandits fans also receive an exclusive 20% discount on their first order through PerfectLens now through the end of the 2026 season on August 31st, 2026.

PerfectLens has built a vast customer base across Canada since its inception in 2014. Through prioritizing customer service, its offering of brand name contact lenses at affordable prices, PerfectLens has earned a strong reputation from its loyal clients.

“PerfectLens has been an integral part of the Bandits story since 2020, and their continued commitment speaks to the strength of this partnership. They understand that what we are building goes beyond basketball, it is about creating unforgettable game day experiences and making a lasting impact in communities across the province,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “We are proud to have PerfectLens back as our Season Presenting Partner and look forward to continuing to grow together in 2026 and beyond.”

CEBL and CBC Sports Release 2026 Season Broadcast and Streaming Schedule

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:58:33 GMT

the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and CBC Sports unveiled the league’s 2026 broadcast and streaming schedule. Beginning May 9, CBC Sports will live stream every game of the 2026 CEBL season on the free CBC Gem streaming service, cbcsports.ca and CBC Sports YouTube channel . Additionally, six regular season matchups, the Conference Finals and the best-of-three CEBL Finals will be broadcast nationally on CBC TV.

CBC Sports’ coverage of the league’s eighth season tips off on Saturday, May 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. MT) from the Edmonton EXPO Centre, where the Edmonton Stingers host former Stingers guard and three-time CEBL MVP Xavier Moon and the Winnipeg Sea Bears in a highly anticipated season opener.

“This broadcast schedule reflects the commitment of both our League and CBC Sports to deliver Canadian-grown, top-tier sport action across the nation,” said CEBL President and CEO Ty Mazereeuw. “We’ll be bringing free access to premier matchups from Canada’s pro basketball league to audiences across Canada .”

CBC Sports returns as a key media partner under a new five-year agreement, as announced March 3 , after serving as the league’s original broadcaster from 2019 to 2022.

The national broadcast schedule also features a marquee rematch of last summer’s dramatic Western Conference Semifinal, with the Calgary Surge visiting the Vancouver Bandits on July 5 at Langley Events Centre. Additional matchups throughout the summer will showcase some of the league’s top rivalries and premier talent.

Regular-Season games available on CBC TV:

Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 3:30 PM ET | Winnipeg Sea Bears at Edmonton Stingers
Sunday, July 5, 2026 | 3:30 PM ET | Calgary Surge at Vancouver Bandits
Sunday, July 12, 2026 | 3:30 PM ET | Calgary Surge at Winnipeg Sea Bears
Saturday, July 18, 2026 | 3:30 PM ET | Edmonton Stingers at Niagara River Lions
Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 3:30 PM ET | Brampton Honey Badgers at Winnipeg Sea Bears
Sunday, August 2, 2026 | 3:30 PM ET | Winnipeg Sea Bears at Vancouver Bandits

The schedule for CBC Sports’ CEBL Playoffs coverage will be announced at a later date.

For the full 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League schedule, visit cebl.ca/schedule . Additional streaming will be available on CEBL+. Details on the league’s new playoff format are available at cebl.ca/playoffs , and ticket information can be found at cebl.ca/tickets .

Vancouver Bandits Announce First-Ever Pro Combine for Local University Student-Athletes

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:31:57 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have announced that the club will be hosting its first-ever university combine, inviting some of British Columbia’s most promising men’s basketball student-athletes to showcase their talents and earn a spot on a professional roster.

The Bandits University Combine, presented by Fuel Supplements, will take place April 25-26, 2026 at Langley Events Centre and is the first event of its kind hosted by a CEBL team. The invite-only combine will feature nearly 40 student-athletes from post-secondary men’s basketball programs across BC and North America. The goal of the combine is for Bandits coaching staff to identify players to invite to training camp, where they can compete for a roster spot for the 2026 CEBL season.

“This combine will give local student-athletes a real professional experience and help us identify players who can impact our team this season,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “This is the first event of its kind and it is going to create real opportunities for players to step into a pro environment and prove themselves. University players have been a big part of our success, and we will use this combine to strengthen our roster this summer and build for the future.”

Under the guise of Julius and the Bandits’ coaching staff, student-athletes will participate in workouts and training mirroring those at the professional level. The combine will consist of team-based drills and full-court gameplay; participants will also undergo off-court health testing including a complete body composition analysis scan.

Student-athletes from the following post-secondary men’s basketball programs will be participating in the Bandits University Combine: Briercrest College, Bishop’s University, Brandon University, Capilano University, Cleveland State University, MacEwan University, McMaster University, Okanagan College, Queen’s University, Thompson Rivers University, Trinity Western University, University of British Columbia, University of British Columbia Okanagan, University of the Fraser Valley, University of Manitoba, University of Northern British Columbia, University of Victoria.

As part of the CEBL’s long-standing partnerships with U SPORTS and the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), Canadian men’s basketball student-athletes can be signed to Developmental Player Contracts therefore retaining a student-athlete’s post-secondary eligibility.

Past Bandits rosters have consisted of university talent such as Thomas Kennedy (2023 U SPORTS Player of the Year), Diego Maffia (2024 U SPORTS Player of the Year) and Sam Maillet (2025 U SPORTS Championship MVP) who have excelled at both their schools and in the CEBL, and have since advanced to professional opportunities.

Bandits Single Game Tickets and additional 2026 ticket options can be purchased here .

Otter Co-op Named Presenting Partner of Bandits Backyard BBQ

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 19:18:40 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced that Otter Co-op has been named the presenting partner of the Bandits Backyard BBQ, enhancing one of the club’s most popular fan experiences at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre.

The Bandits Backyard BBQ, introduced during the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, quickly became a fan-favourite Sunday tradition. Designed to bring the community together before tip-off, the Bandits Backyard BBQ experience features live music, local food and beverage offerings, interactive activations and a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere that extends the game day experience beyond the court.

Through the partnership, Otter Co-op will play a key role in elevating the Bandits Backyard BBQ experience, while deepening the connection between the Bandits, Bandits fans and the greater community. Attending the Bandits Backyard BBQ is free to all community members and Bandits gameday ticket purchasers.

“As we continue to build one of the best live event experiences in the country, Bandits Backyard BBQ has become a cornerstone of what makes Bandits game days special,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Otter Co-op is a trusted community brand that understands how to bring people together. This partnership allows us to elevate an experience our fans already love while continuing to create meaningful moments before the game even begins.”

The Bandits Backyard BBQ will be expanded to all Saturday and Sunday Vancouver Bandits regular season home games during the 2026 CEBL season The dates for the 2026 Bandits Backyard BBQs at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre are:

Sunday, May 24, 2026 vs. Calgary | 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 6, 2026 vs. Saskatoon | 6:00 p.m.
Game played at Prospera Place as part of Kelowna HOOPFEST
Saturday, June 13, 2026 vs. Ottawa | 6:00 p.m
Saturday, June 20, 2026 vs. Brampton | 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 27, 2026 vs. Winnipeg | 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 5, 2026 vs. Calgary | 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 25, 2026 vs. Saskatchewan | 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 2, 2026 vs. Winnipeg | 12:30 p.m.

"Otter Co-op and Angry Otter Liquor have always believed that strong communities are built around shared experiences, and the Bandits Backyard BBQ is exactly that kind of opportunity,” said Otter Co-op marketing & community relations manager, Sean Weatherly. “The Vancouver Bandits support the community and bring people together in a way that reflects everything we value as a co-operative. We couldn't be more excited to partner with them to be part of it, and can't wait to see everyone out at the barbecues this summer.”

The partnership reflects the Bandits and Otter Co-op’s continued commitment of creating community-driven experiences that go beyond basketball, while aligning with partners who share a vision of connection, accessibility and local impact.

For more information about the Vancouver Bandits, visit thebandits.ca .

Vancouver Bandits Re-Sign Canadian Guard Shamar Givance

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:45:00 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that guard Shamar Givance will return to the club for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, re-signing for his second consecutive season with BC’s professional basketball team.

A 5-foot-10 guard originally from Brampton, Ont., Givance averaged 7.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists during the 2025 CEBL regular season while appearing in all 24 regular season games with 10 starts.

Both a playmaker and dynamic scorer, he tied the franchise’s single-game assist record on May 24, 2025 with 15 assists and closed out the regular season with a pair of 20+ point performances on July 8 and July 10, 2025.

“Shamar is an elite Canadian guard. His pace, vision, and ability to finish elevates everyone around him, along with his selfless play and competitive fire. He was a cornerstone of our success last season and we’re fired up to have him back,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius of Givance.

Givance is currently playing in France with Champagne Basket Reims of the Pro B League and will report to the Bandits at the conclusion of his season overseas. He is currently averaging 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 23.1 minutes in 31 games played.

“I’m incredibly excited to be back in Vancouver this summer, the energy from the fans last season was unreal,” said Givance. “I can’t wait to get back on the court with the Bandits and get to work on some unfinished business.”

Givance began his post-secondary basketball career at the University of Evansville from 2018 to 2022, where he earned All-Missouri Valley Conference Second Team honours in 2021. He then transferred to the University of Texas El Paso for his graduate season in 2022-23 where he averaged the third-most assists and steals per game in Conference USA and ranked eighth in program history with 62 steals in a single season.

The Bandits open the 2026 CEBL regular season on Thursday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m. PT on the road in Saskatoon before coming home for its Home Opener against the Edmonton Stingers on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre.

Vancouver Bandits Announce Second Annual Charitable Preseason Game

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:24:20 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that the club will host a charitable preseason game on Saturday, May 9 at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. PT.

Proceeds from the second-annual charitable preseason game will benefit the Bandits Community Foundation , which uses basketball to empower youth across British Columbia through grassroots programs, life skills education, and expanded access to the sport.

Matching up with the Bandits will be the Sikh Warriors, a team featuring high-calibre players and homegrown talent. The Sikh Warriors previously participated in the 2025 edition of The Basketball Tournament, a U.S.-based invitational summer tournament broadcast on ESPN. This upcoming game will mark the second preseason matchup between the two teams, with the Bandits previously taking the first meeting 100-78 on May 10, 2025.

The May 9 contest will serve as a unique opportunity for fans to witness both international talent and Canadian professional basketball as the Bandits tune up for the upcoming season as part of 2026 CEBL Training Camp. Tickets are available now at www.thebandits.ca/tickets .

In addition to the May 9 charity exhibition game, the club will also be hosting its fifth-annual School Day Game on Thursday, May 7 at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. The sold-out intrasquad game will tip-off at 11:00 a.m. PT. Updates and recaps for the Bandits 2026 preseason games will be available at thebandits.ca and through the Vancouver Bandits’ social media channels.

Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2026 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca . A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Sign Los Angeles Lakers G League Guard Tevian Jones

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:45:04 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has signed current Los Angeles Lakers NBA G League guard Tevian Jones to its roster for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

Jones, a 6-foot-7 guard, joins the Bandits from the Lakers’ NBA G League affiliate, South Bay Lakers where he averaged 10.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20.5 minutes per game across 24 games during the 2025-26 season and helped his team to an appearance in the NBA G League Western Conference finals.

Originally from Chandler, Ariz., Jones earned NBA minutes in 2023 when he was named to the New Orleans Pelicans’ training camp roster and suited up for the club during its pre-season campaign.

““I am really looking forward to playing for the Bandits and being in Vancouver! I can’t wait to get together with coach Julius and the guys this summer,” said Jones. “We definitely have some big things in store this season, y’all are going to see!”

Jones has already proven his offensive talent in the CEBL, averaging 17.8 points across 33 games in two seasons between the Winnipeg Sea Bears, Saskatchewan Rattlers, and Scarborough Shooting Stars.

Internationally, Jones was called up to the United States senior men’s national team this past February where he contributed to a 123-88 win on February 3, 2026 against Mexico as part of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

“We are really excited to add Tevian’s athleticism and competitive fire to our roster. He is coming off a strong season in the NBA G League and also earned a USA Basketball call-up this past February,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “He plays at a high level and fits our team identity of energy and effort, with a relentless approach on both ends of the court.”

Prior to turning professional, Jones attended Southern Utah University where he developed into an explosive producer. In his fifth year during the 2022-23 NCAA season, Jones started 36 games for the Thunderbirds and led his program with 17.8 points per game en route to receiving Western Athletic Conference (WAC) First-Team All Conference honours. Prior to his success at SUU, Jones got his start at the University of Illinois, playing in 37 games from 2018 to 2020

Bandits Single Game Tickets and additional 2026 ticket options can be purchased here .

R.R. Plett Trucking Named Official Transportation Partner of the Vancouver Bandits

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:45:00 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced today that R.R. Plett Trucking has been named the club’s Official Transportation Partner, supporting the team’s growing footprint across British Columbia and helping deliver the Bandits’ game-day experience and community programming to fans and young athletes throughout the province.

As part of the partnership, R.R. Plett Trucking will assist with the transportation of equipment and event infrastructure for a number of Bandits initiatives, including community activations, youth basketball events and special showcase games across the province.

R.R. Plett Trucking recently played a key role in the successful delivery of Guildford Town Centre 3x3 Clutch , a four-day 3x3 basketball tournament hosted by the Vancouver Bandits, Basketball BC and Guildford Town Centre, at Guildford Town Centre during Family Day long weekend. The event welcomed nearly 250 young athletes from across the Lower Mainland competing on a custom-built court setup, marking the first-ever 3x3 basketball tournament held inside a shopping centre in British Columbia.

Looking ahead, R.R. Plett Trucking will also be instrumental in transporting the Bandits’ game-day experience to the Kelowna HOOPFEST showcase game on June 6 at Prospera Place , where the club will bring professional basketball and community programming to the City of Kelowna as part of a weekend celebrating the sport throughout the Okanagan region.

“As we continue to grow the game across British Columbia, having the right partners in place is critical. R.R. Plett allows us to extend our reach beyond our home market and bring the Bandits experience to more communities in a real and tangible way,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Whether it’s youth events like 3x3 Clutch or major moments like Kelowna HOOPFEST, this partnership helps us move with intention and continue building something that connects the entire province through basketball.”

Through the partnership, R.R. Plett Trucking will help ensure that the Bandits can continue expanding their events and youth initiatives across British Columbia while delivering the high-energy game presentation the club has become known for.

“R.R. Plett Trucking is proud to be the Official Transport Partner of the Bandits in advancing youth development and expanding the game across British Columbia. At R.R. Plett Trucking, we believe strong communities are built by investing in our youth. Partnering with the Bandits is more than a sponsorship for us, it’s about creating opportunities, inspiring young athletes, and helping the game grow across British Columbia,” said R.R. Plett Trucking COO Trevor Plett. “Seeing the excitement and energy around initiatives like the Kelowna event reminds us how powerful sport can be in bringing people together. We are proud to stand behind a local organization that is making a real difference in communities and helping shape the next generation both on and off the court.”

The partnership reflects the Bandits’ continued commitment to growing basketball throughout British Columbia through professional games, youth development programs and community-driven events.

Vancouver Bandits Sign Cleveland Cavaliers G League Starter Miller Kopp

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:50:12 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced that the club has signed current Cleveland Cavaliers NBA G League starter and former Indiana Hoosier and NBA G League champion Miller Kopp for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

A 6-foot-7 forward from Houston, Tex., Kopp signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers prior to the 2025-26 NBA season, where he was named to the club’s Training Camp roster and appeared in two pre-season games. He is currently a member of the Cavaliers’ NBA G League affiliate, Cleveland Charge where he is averaging 11.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals through 25.5 minutes per game.

Before joining the Charge, Kopp played two seasons with the Oklahoma City Blue, the G League affiliate of the NBA’s Thunder, where he captured an NBA G League championship during the 2023-24 season.

“I am excited to compete in front of amazing fans and impact winning in all areas,” said Kopp on joining the Bandits.

Prior to turning pro, Kopp graduated from Indiana University where he helped lead the Hoosiers to back-to-back NCAA March Madness appearances. During his tenure from 2021 to 2023, he averaged 6.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 blocks while starting in all 61 games played. He originally began his collegiate career at Northwestern University where he played three seasons for the Wildcats from 2018 to 2021.

“Miller Kopp is an absolute marksman. What sets him apart is his relentless work ethic and high character,” commented head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. “He has proven himself at every level from being a fan favorite at Indiana University, to shining in the G League and playing NBA minutes this season. He fits our culture of energy, effort, and enthusiasm.”

Internationally, Kopp represented the United States at the 2025 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers appearing in games against the Bahamas and Puerto Rico.

Bandits Single Game Tickets and additional 2026 ticket options can be purchased here .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter.

Vancouver Bandits Sign Local University Standouts Ashton Bain and Dario Lopez

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:48:42 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that the club has signed Queen’s University forward Ashton Bain and University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) forward Dario Lopez for the 2026 season as part of CEBL Signing Day.

“We are proud to announce these two local student-athlete signings, as building BC talent is a core mandate for our team,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “While these are key pieces, we are far from done. We will continue to actively scout collegiate athletes to further strengthen our roster this summer.”

Bain, a 6-foot-9 forward from Vancouver, B.C., finished his second season at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. where he averaged 10.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists through 24.2 minutes in 26 games (16 starts). In his freshman season in 2024-25, his Gaels team made appearances at the 2025 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference finals and U SPORTS Final 8. Prior to his time at Queen’s, Bain played high school basketball at North Vancouver’s Handsworth Secondary.

Lopez, a 6-foot-7 forward originally from Madrid, Spain, recently completed his fifth and final season with the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) Cascades where he earned Canada West First Team All-Star honours. In 2025-26, he played and started in 15 games while posting averages of 27.1 minutes, 15.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Before competing for UFV, Lopez was a member of Movistar Estudiantes U18 in Spain.

Replacing the CEBL Draft, Signing Day marks the next evolution of the CEBL’s partnership with U SPORTS, established in 2019, and more recently the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The new approach creates a more direct and flexible pathway for Canadian student-athletes to transition from campus to the professional stage.

“As Canada’s professional basketball league, our focus is on elevating the game and the athletes who power it,” said CEBL President and CEO Ty Mazereeuw. “Signing Day gives student-athletes a direct path to the pro level, where they can test themselves against elite competition and contribute to an exciting, fast-paced product. With expanded visibility across CEBL+, YouTube, and CBC platforms, along with strong fan support in every market, it’s an opportunity to grow their careers within a league built from the community up.”

“U SPORTS is proud of its partnership with the CEBL that allows our student-athletes to sign with clubs to continue meaningful development during the U SPORTS off-season,” said Matthew Davies, U SPORTS Chief Sport Officer. “The CEBL teams' commitment to carry developmental players is a valuable opportunity for our student-athletes to fuel their growth as players and as people.”

Bandits Single Game Tickets and additional 2026 ticket options can be purchased here .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter.

Schedule Update: Thursday, May 14 at Saskatoon

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 02:35:18 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League has confirmed that the start time for the Vancouver Bandits’ away game on Thursday, May 14 against Saskatoon Mamba at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Sask, has been changed from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. PT. This game will be Vancouver’s first game of the 2026 CEBL regular season.

The game, along with all Bandits games during the 2026 season, will be live-streamed on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and the CEBL Mobile app. Fans can also tune in on the CBC Gem app and the CBC Sports YouTube channel.

Coquitlam, BC's Dominic Parolin Signs with Vancouver Bandits

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:45:00 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has signed 6-foot-9 forward Dominic Parolin to its roster for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

Hailing from Coquitlam, B.C., this marks Parolin’s first professional basketball contract after recently completing a six-year NCAA DI career with stints at Boise State University and Lehigh University.

“I can’t wait to start off my professional career with the Bandits. This organization has a history of success and I am excited to be a part of it,” said Parolin. “Having grown up around Vancouver, this is also a great opportunity to reconnect with the local basketball community.”

After redshirting during the 2024-25 season, Parolin appeared in 32 games for the Boise State Broncos in 2025-26 where he suited up in 32 games with averages of 5.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 0.5 blocks in 17.0 minutes per game. Prior to Boise State, Parolin played four seasons with the Lehigh Mountain Hawks where he was named Third Team All-Patriot League in 2024.

“We are all excited about working with Dominic. He has had a tremendous college career and has a very high ceiling as a professional player,” said Bandits head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. “Dominic plays with big time toughness, has great size and a versatile game as a power forward. Being a B.C. kid, we are thrilled that he is back home playing for us in front of friends and family.”

An alumnus of Centennial Secondary in Coquitlam, B.C., Parolin captained the Centaurs’ senior boys team to a fifth-place finish at the 2020 BC 4A Boys Basketball Provincial Championship, while also earning First Team All-Star honours at the tournament.

Bandits Single Game Tickets and additional 2026 ticket options can be purchased here .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter.

NBA-Experienced Guard Mychal Mulder Signs with Bandits for 2026 CEBL Season

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 21:50:36 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has signed NBA-experienced guard Mychal Mulder for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

A 6-foot-3 guard from Windsor, Ont., Mulder appeared in 84 NBA games between 2019 to 2022 for the Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic and Miami Heat. His breakout season in 2020-21 saw him appear in 60 games for the Warriors, where he averaged 5.6 points, 1.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists in 12.8 minutes, including six starts alongside the likes of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins.

“I am excited to be in Vancouver to play with the Bandits and work with coach Kyle Julius this summer. Playing in a Canadian league is a first for me, and it is an opportunity that I take pride in,” said Mulder. “We are going to have a really good group and a very competitive season; Bandits fans, get ready.”

Mulder most recently played for the Washington Wizards’ NBA G League affiliate, Capital City Go-Go, during the 2023-24 season where he appeared in 27 games and averaged 5.2 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists in 17.3 minutes per game.

A product of the University of Kentucky, Mulder played two seasons of NCAA DI basketball from 2015 to 2017. He averaged 4.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.4 assists in 10.6 minutes through 32 contests for a Wildcats squad that advanced to the Elite Eight at the 2017 NCAA March Madness tournament.

“Mychal is an elite Canadian player who has built a career as accomplished as any player to play in our league. He will provide big time experience and leadership to our group,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “He has played with the best players in the world and it is going to be awesome to have him enhance our culture and push our group towards a championship.”

Internationally, Mulder has represented Canada at the senior level on two occasions at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers and the 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Mulder joins reigning CEBL Canadian Player of the Year Tyrese Samuel as players who have signed with the Bandits for the upcoming 2026 season.

Bandits Single Game Tickets and additional 2026 ticket options can be purchased here .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter.

CEBL Signing Day Format Introduced for 2026

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:30:24 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is proud to announce CEBL Signing Day , coming April 8. Replacing the CEBL Draft , Signing Day will roll out across league-wide social platforms, spotlighting the next wave of elite Canadian talent as student-athletes from U SPORTS and the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) officially sign for the 2026 season. Two athletes per team will be announced, with the possibility of more signings as the season approaches.

Since 2019, the CEBL’s partnership with U SPORTS and more recently also the CCAA has built a pro-level stage where the best intercollegiate talent from coast to coast can shine. CEBL teams are incentivized to carry development players on their active rosters, with up to three developmental players eligible per game outside the Club’s salary cap.

The results speak for themselves: 116 student-athletes from 44 schools across Canada have been selected by CEBL clubs through the draft process, a testament to the exceptional depth and calibre of Canadian collegiate basketball.

The world will be watching. Through the CEBL's landmark five-year broadcast partnership with CBC Sports, these talented student-athletes will get national, and global, spotlight. Marquee games will air on CBC TV, including the first-ever best-of-three CEBL Finals in league history, with every CEBL game live streamed on CBC Gem and CBC Sports YouTube and CEBL+ . Canadian basketball has never been more visible and it's only getting bigger.

For the full 2026 CEBL schedule, visit cebl.ca/schedule . Details on the league’s new playoff format are available at cebl.ca/playoffs , and ticket information for all CEBL games can be found at cebl.ca/tickets .

Vancouver Bandits and UFV Announce Exclusive Partnership for Junior All Native Tournament

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 18:59:24 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation are proud to partner with the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) to support local Indigenous youth participating at the upcoming 2026 Junior All Native Tournament (JANT). 

Hosted jointly by the Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation, Vancity Nation Basketball and Kwantlen First Nation, JANT is the largest Indigenous youth sports gathering in British Columbia and one of the largest basketball tournaments in Canada.

As a co-presenting sponsor, UFV will support the tournament’s on-site athletic therapy services. Students and faculty from UFV’s School of Kinesiology will assist in providing athletic therapy coverage throughout the tournament under the supervision of UFV Head Athletic Therapist Grant Ammann, who help ensure high-quality care for participating athletes.

“Supporting Indigenous youth through sport reflects UFV’s commitment to community engagement, experiential learning, and is consistent with Reconciliation” said Michael Gaetz, Director of the School of Kinesiology at the University of the Fraser Valley. “Our students gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing to the health and well-being of young athletes and communities from all over the Province of BC.”

“The Junior All Native Tournament represents the power of sport to bring communities together and inspire the next generation,” said James Mandigo, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Fraser Valley. “UFV is proud to support this important event and to contribute the expertise of our School of Kinesiology in helping create a safe, supportive environment for Indigenous youth athletes.”

“We’re incredibly excited to partner with UFV to support the young athletes participating in the Junior All Native Tournament. This collaboration is a great example of what can happen when different parts of a community come together with a shared purpose,” said Vancouver Bandits team president & JANT co-chair Dylan Kular. “Seeing UFV’s School of Kinesiology & UFV Cascades’ students and faculty step in to support these athletes demonstrates the university’s commitment to youth across British Columbia and shows the real power of cross-department collaboration in creating meaningful experiences for the next generation.

The Bandits Community Foundation and its partners have supported basketball development initiatives for Indigenous youth across British Columbia, including camps for athletes, officials and coaches, and community court revitalization projects. 

JANT has been a cornerstone event for nearly 50 years, uniting young athletes and their families from Indigenous communities across British Columbia. The tournament aims to inspire Indigenous youth to pursue their goals and make the most of their potential, while improving their fitness and skill levels.

The 50th edition of JANT will take place in Langley from March 15-20, 2026 and is expected to bring more than 1,200 youth athletes, over 10,000 travellers and over 100 teams from across the province, representing over 100 Indigenous communities. Learn more about JANT and purchase event tickets at www.JANT.ca.

Vancouver Bandits and FortisBC Extend Partnership for 2026 Season, Expanding Commitment to Youth Basketball Across British Columbia Through JANT

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:04:13 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits are proud to announce the renewal of their collaboration with FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) for the 2026 season, continuing a shared commitment to empowering youth through basketball development. This marks the fifth consecutive year of collaboration between the Bandits and FortisBC, reinforcing a strong community-driven initiative that provides coaching and mentorship opportunities for aspiring young athletes and coaches across British Columbia.

As part of this renewed sponsorship, FortisBC will once again be the official co-presenter of the coaching and youth clinics hosted by the Bandits Community Foundation’s Indigenous Basketball Collective (IBC) . These clinics, designed to foster skill development and leadership among Indigenous youth, will continue to offer a structured environment where young players can learn from experienced coaches while also building confidence and teamwork skills through the game of basketball across British Columbia. Basketball is one of the most participated sports amongst Indigenous youth in British Columbia, which is displayed at the annual Junior All-Native Tournament (JANT).

In addition to the Indigenous Basketball Collective, FortisBC is supporting the 50th anniversary of JANT. This tournament is welcoming 130 teams from across British Columbia to Langley March 15th to 20th, 2026. The 50th anniversary JANT is slated to be the largest in the history of the tournament welcoming nearly 1,800 players and coaches from over 75 First Nations communities across British Columbia. With the support of all JANT sponsors, including FortisBC, the tournament is not charging spectators to watch games from March 16th to 19th.

“FortisBC is committed to supporting Indigenous youth and community-led initiatives that strengthen connection and belonging,” said Vanessa Connolly, director, community and Indigenous relations FortisBC. “By investing in youth basketball programs and community tournaments, we’re helping create inclusive spaces where young people can build confidence, skills and lasting relationships.”

FortisBC returns as a co-presenter of the BC Basketball Festival, one of the province’s premier youth basketball tournaments and one of the only youth basketball tournaments in British Columbia that does not charge spectators to watch games.

The extension of this partnership aligns with both organizations’ ongoing efforts to foster community engagement, youth development, and the overall growth of basketball in British Columbia.

CEBL and CBC Sports Reunite in Landmark Five-Year Broadcast Partnership

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:30:59 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and CBC Sports today announced a landmark five-year broadcast partnership that will see marquee games air on CBC TV, including the first best-of-three CEBL Finals in league history, and all games live streamed on CBC Gem and CBC Sports YouTube .

“As Canada’s professional basketball league, with 10 teams across the country, our focus is simple, to meet fans where they are,” said CEBL President and CEO Ty Mazereeuw. “Partnering with CBC Sports brings the CEBL to more Canadians on a trusted national stage, and expands access across digital platforms including CBC Gem and YouTube, giving basketball fans of all ages more choice in how they follow our biggest moments.”

“Canadian basketball is having a moment right now on the world stage, and through our partnership with the CEBL, we can bring the energy and momentum of Canada’s top young players to fans across the country,” said Chris Wilson, Executive Director, Sports and Olympics, CBC. “We are excited to share the excitement from the court with wider audiences on CBC’s platforms, and to interact with and serve local fans in CEBL locations across Canada.”

CBC Sports was the league’s broadcast partner for its inaugural seasons from 2019 through 2022, and with the new partnership, for the next five years CBC Sports will offer select regular-season games on CBC TV and all regular-season and playoff games on CBC Gem and CBC Sports YouTube. Available platforms will also include CEBL+. The CEBL’s full 2026 broadcast schedule and more broadcast-related announcements are coming soon.

For the full 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League game schedule, visit cebl.ca/schedule . Details on the League’s new playoff format are available at cebl.ca/playoffs , and ticket information for all CEBL games can be found at cebl.ca/tickets .

Bandits Single Game Tickets On Sale now

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 21:08:11 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that single game tickets for all home games for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League ( CEBL ) season are available for purchase to the public. The Bandits sold-out 75 per cent of regular season home games during the 2025 CEBL season so fans are encouraged to secure their tickets as soon as they can.

The Bandits will tip off the home portion of their schedule with a pair of games as part of Home Opener Weekend at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre (LEC). The home opener will be played on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT against the Edmonton Stingers, while the second game will take place on Sunday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m. when the Bandits host the Calgary Surge in a highly-anticipated rematch of the 2025 CEBL Western Conference Quarterfinal.

“There is nothing like a Bandits Basketball game. It is high-energy, engaging and, most importantly, it’s for everyone. Whether you are a lifelong basketball fan, a family looking for a fun night out, or someone experiencing a game for the first time, you belong here,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “We have worked hard to create one of the best live event experiences in British Columbia, a place where the community comes together, cultures are celebrated, and unforgettable moments are made. We cannot wait to welcome all of BC to Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre this summer.”

In celebration of the BC School Sports Basketball Provincial Championships, taking place at LEC, fans use the promotional code PROVINCIALS15 upon check out to save 15% off single game tickets played at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre until Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Single game tickets for all Bandits home games can be purchased here .

The Vancouver Bandits’ complete home game schedule is as follows (all times Pacific):

Home games played at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre, unless denoted.

Friday, May 22, 2026 vs. Edmonton | 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 24, 2026 vs. Calgary | 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 6, 2026 vs. Saskatchewan | 6:00 p.m. *Game played in Kelowna
Saturday, June 13, 2026 vs. Ottawa | 6:00 p.m.
Monday, June 15, 2026 vs. Scarborough | 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 20, 2026 vs. Brampton | 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 27, 2026 vs. Winnipeg | 6:00 p.m.
Friday, July 3, 2026 vs. Edmonton | 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 5, 2026 vs. Calgary | 12:30 p.m.
Friday, July 17, 2026 vs. Montreal | 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 25, 2026 vs. Saskatchewan | 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 2, 2026 vs. Winnipeg | 12:30 p.m.

Featuring the club’s most fan-friendly schedule to date, Bandits home games will feature start times on Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. (3), Saturday nights at 6:00 p.m. (5), and Sunday afternoons at 5:00 p.m. (2). Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre will be the place to be for professional basketball in British Columbia this summer, further solidifying the Bandits’ fast-growing reputation as one of the most exciting and dynamic live event offerings in British Columbia.

Fans can also look forward to the return of Bandits Theme Nights this summer. Dates and details of popular games, such as Filipino Heritage, South Asian Heritage and Country Night, along with new themes will be announced next month.

Single game tickets for the eighth season of Bandits Basketball are available for purchase and can be accessed by clicking here . In addition to single game tickets, Season Tickets , Group Experiences and Jam Packs are also available for purchase.

Kur Jongkuch called up to Canada national team at FIBA World Cup qualifiers

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:54:12 GMT

Vancouver Bandits forward Kur Jongkuch has been called up to the Canadian men’s national team for Window 2 of the FIBA Men’s World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, as announced by Canada Basketball .

Originally from Juba, South Sudan before moving to London, Ont. at a young age, this will be Jongkuch’s first-ever call up to Canada's senior men’s national team roster. He was previously named to Canada’s training camp squad for Window 1 of the World Cup Qualifiers in November 2025 , and also competed on Canada’s men’s U23 squad in 2022 where he captured a bronze medal at that year’s GLOBL JAM invitational tournament.

Jongkuch has appeared in 36 regular season games across three seasons for the Bandits, averaging 7.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocks in seven games played during the 2025 CEBL season. Following his 2025 CEBL season with the Bandits, he signed with Telekom Baskets Bonn of the Basketball Bundesliga, Germany’s top flight and one of the basketball leagues worldwide.

Canada, who are ranked fifth in FIBA’s men’s world rankings, will face Puerto Rico on Feb. 26 at 7:10 p.m. ET / 4:10 p.m. PT in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before travelling to Kingston, Jamaica to take on Jamaica on Mar. 1 at 6:00 p.m ET / 3:00 p.m. PT. Both games will be available to stream live in Canada on TSN+.

Mitch Creek called up to Australia men's national team for 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:28:44 GMT

Vancouver Bandits forward Mitch Creek has been called up to the Australia men’s national team for the upcoming 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, as announced by Basketball Australia.

The reigning CEBL Most Valuable Player and All-CEBL First Team member captained the Bandits during the 2025 season, where he appeared and started in 20 games and averaged 24.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 34.4 minutes played. Following his stellar sophomore campaign with the Bandits, he signed with U-BT Cluj-Napoca in Romania for the 2025-26 season in EuroCup, one of the premier pro basketball leagues in the world.

Hailing from Horsham, Victoria, Creek has appeared in 20 games for the Australia Boomers. This call up marks his first appearance for his country since 2019, where he competed at the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

Australia, who are ranked sixth in FIBA's men's world rankings, will face Guam on Thursday, February 26 at 1:00 a.m. PT before taking on the Philippines on Sunday, March 1 at 1:30 a.m. PT.

3x3 Basketball Action Lands at Guildford Town Centre this Family Day weekend

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:25:20 GMT

3x3 basketball action will be taking over Guildford Town Centre this Family Day long weekend as the Vancouver Bandits and Basketball BC host 3x3 Clutch.

3x3 Clutch is a joint partnership between BC's professional basketball club and Basketball BC that is designed to increase awareness and interest in 3x3 basketball through collaborative events hosted across British Columbia throughout the calendar year.

Set to run Friday, February 13, to Monday, February 16, 3x3 Clutch will welcome nearly 250 young athletes from across the Lower Mainland competing on a custom-built court setup at Guildford Town Centre. Athletes will be competing in the following age groups; Boys U12, U13, U14 and Girls U12, U13.

This weekend’s games at 3x3 Clutch are open to the public; spectators are welcome to attend for free as no admission fee will be charged.

This upcoming 3x3 Clutch event will mark the first time that a 3x3 basketball tournament will be held inside a shopping centre in British Columbia, following in the footsteps of recent 3x3 basketball events in Canada including in Edmonton during Summer 2025.

“Hosting the first-ever 3x3 basketball tournament inside a shopping centre in British Columbia speaks to how creative and accessible this sport can be. Our partnership with Guildford Town Centre is built around growing the game in meaningful ways and bringing community together,” says Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits team president. “3x3 basketball thrives in community spaces and this event shows how the game can adapt, grow, and reach new audiences in exciting ways.”

In addition to exciting 3x3 basketball action, the weekend will also feature several youth development clinics led by Bandits coaching staff, and interactive basketball opportunities for shoppers and the public.

"As we approach our fourth year partnering with the Vancouver Bandits, we are thrilled to host the 3x3 Clutch basketball tournament at Guildford Town Centre. This action-packed weekend promises excitement for both players and spectators, and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting our community through dynamic events that bring people together," says Kiran Deol, Marketing Manager at Guildford Town Centre.

The sport of 3x3 basketball is a fast-paced rendition of the traditional 5-on-5 game that is played globally; thanks to its surging popularity and global interest in the 3x3 basketball format, the sport was incorporated at the Olympics for the first time at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games. 3x3 basketball is played in a half-court setting, thus requiring less space to play and also affords each player more opportunities to touch the ball given the reduced amount of players on the court.

Launched in the summer of 2023 and featuring its inaugural tournament at the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s 2023 Championship Weekend festivities at Langley Events Centre, the goal of 3x3 Clutch is to provide a recreational and competitive framework for youth and adult 3x3 basketball.

For more information, visit www.thebandits.ca/3x3clutch .

Vancouver Bandits make impactful community visits in the Okanagan

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:57:32 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), are committed to making a positive impact through basketball and growing the game across British Columbia, and this dedication was highlighted this past week in Kelowna and the Okanagan area.

Coming off the recent announcement of Kelowna HOOPFEST, a brand-new basketball festival featuring a CEBL neutral-site home game in partnership with the City of Kelowna, Bandits head coach Kyle Julius spent time at five Okanagan-area secondary schools and both of Kelowna’s post-secondary men’s basketball teams, as part of the Vancouver Bandits third-annual Bandits School Tour.

Julius and Bandits staff visited Mount Boucherie Secondary School, Immaculata Regional High School, Okanagan Mission Secondary, Rutland Secondary School and Kelowna Secondary, as well as the men’s basketball teams at UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College, providing dedicated and tailored practices along with motivational talks and training materials.

Launched in 2023, the Bandits School Tour is supported by the Bandits Community Foundation, Preston Chevrolet and Envision Financial and offers a unique opportunity for student-athletes and volunteer coaches to learn directly from BC’s only professional basketball coach.

“What stood out most during our visit was the impact basketball can have when it is rooted in mentorship and connection; it is clear how vibrant the basketball and business ecosystem is in the Okanagan,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “We are thankful to the Okanagan and Kelowna communities for welcoming us so openly, and this is only the beginning. We are committed to being present and intentional in the lead-up to Kelowna HOOPFEST from June 5th to 7th.”

In addition to the Bandits School Tour, Julius and members of Bandits staff had the opportunity to connect with various Okanagan business, media and community leaders, including attending the 51st annual Western Canada Tournament at Kelowna Secondary and a Kelowna Rockets hockey game.

Nearly 1,000 tickets have already been sold for Kelowna HOOPFEST, tipping off Saturday, June 6 at 6:00 p.m. PM at Prospera Place between the Vancouver Bandits and Saskatoon Mamba, and speaks to the growing interest in Bandits Basketball and the CEBL across the province. More information and tickets are available at thebandits.ca .

Photo: Krista Carlson/UBC Okanagan Athletics

Vancouver Bandits partner with City of Kelowna to Host Neutral-Site Home Game as part of Kelowna HOOPFEST

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 22:00:22 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits and the City of Kelowna announced today that the club will host its first neutral-site home game in franchise history when it faces Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club on Saturday, June 6, with tip-off set for 6:00 p.m. PT at Prospera Place in Kelowna.

This Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) matchup will serve as the marquee event of Kelowna HOOPFEST, a new basketball festival presented in partnership with the City of Kelowna designed to celebrate basketball at every level. Kelowna HOOPFEST will feature the Vancouver Bandits vs. Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club, a youth 5x5 tournament, a coaching clinic, and additional programming to be announced.

“This is a historic moment for our club and for professional basketball in British Columbia,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “We are bringing the same incredible energy our Bandits fans get at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. Fans can expect fast-paced, high-energy basketball paired with an electric game-day atmosphere, and a fan-first experience that will bring communities together inside and outside the arena. Bringing our first neutral-site home game to Kelowna as part of Kelowna HOOPFEST is about growing the game and connecting with new communities.”

Kelowna HOOPFEST reflects the City of Kelowna’s continued investment in hosting major sporting events that strengthen connection, inspire youth participation, and drive economic impact.

“Kelowna is excited to host the Vancouver Bandits and Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club at Prospera Place,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “Kelowna continues to build its reputation as a premier event-hosting city, and we are proud to welcome the Canadian Elite Basketball League to our community. The first-ever Kelowna HOOPFEST and surrounding events will bring people to our city, support local businesses, and provide a boost to our local economy.”

The multi-day event represents an important step in expanding the reach of both professional basketball and the CEBL across Canada.

“Bringing high-energy basketball from some of Canada’s most dynamic players into our communities across the country is what defines our league,” said CEBL President Tyler Mazereeuw. “The Vancouver Bandits will be turning Kelowna into a multi-day Canadian Elite Basketball League experience, giving residents of Kelowna a firsthand look at the energy and passion that is driving our rapidly growing fanbase from coast to coast.”

Tickets for Vancouver Bandits vs. Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club at Kelowna HOOPFEST are on sale now. Additional details surrounding Kelowna HOOPFEST programming will be announced in the coming weeks. More information and tickets are available at thebandits.ca .

Vancouver Bandits Re-Sign Canadian Player of the Year Tyrese Samuel

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:56:36 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced that reigning Canadian Player of the Year Tyrese Samuel has re-signed with the club for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

Making an immediate impact during his debut CEBL campaign in 2025, Samuel led all players league-wide in field goal percentage (65.9) while finishing top three on the Bandits in points (21.7) and rebounds per game (10.8) in 15 games played. He broke the club’s single-game scoring record during his CEBL debut on May 15, 2025 recording 36 points along with 12 rebounds, and was named CEBL Player of the Week on August 11, 2025.

“ We’ve got some unfinished business to take care of ,” said Samuel.

The 6-foot-10, Montréal, Que. product capped off his dominant season by being named Canadian Player of the Year and a Second Team All-CEBL selection at the 2025 CEBL Awards . His stellar play also earned him a roster spot with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2025 NBA Summer League and an Exhibit 10 contract with the Phoenix Suns during 2026 NBA training camp.

“We are all very excited that we get another chance to work with Tyrese, he is a special player and an even better person. Tyrese is one of the best Canadians to ever play in our league and we are looking forward to building our roster around him,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

The 25-year-old forward has spent the 2025-26 season with the Phoenix Suns’ NBA G League affiliate, Valley Suns, where he has appeared in 24 games and logged 8.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 18.2 minutes played.

A top Canadian prospect while in university, Samuel played four seasons at Seton Hall University from 2019 to 2023 before transferring to the University of Florida for his graduate year, where he earned Second Team All-SEC honours.

Internationally, Samuel has represented Canada on two occasions, earning a silver medal at the 2018 FIBA U18 AmeriCup and appearing in the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup.

The Bandits open the 2026 CEBL season on Thursday, May 14 on the road in Saskatchewan before coming home for two exciting matchups as part of 2026 Home Opener Weekend at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre.

The club will host the Edmonton Stingers on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT before facing the Calgary Surge on Sunday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m. PT in a rematch of the 2025 CEBL Western Conference Quarterfinal. Fans can take advantage of a special Home Opener Weekend ticket offer; buy three tickets to either or both games and receive an additional ticket for free. Tickets for the Bandits’ Home Opener Weekend, and additional 2026 ticket options, can be purchased here .

All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). The schedule of nationally televised games, along with broadcast and streaming information will be announced at a later date.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Announce 2026 Schedule

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:58:05 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday the club’s 2026 CEBL regular season schedule, a 24-game campaign that will see the club open its eighth Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season on Thursday, May 14 in Saskatchewan at 6:30 p.m. PT.

The Bandits will tip off the home portion of their schedule with a pair of games as part of Home Opener Weekend at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. The home opener will be played on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT against the Edmonton Stingers, while the second game will take place on Sunday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m. when the Bandits host the Calgary Surge in a rematch of the 2025 CEBL Western Conference Quarterfinal.

Fans can take advantage of a special Home Opener Weekend ticket offer; buy three tickets to either or both games and receive an additional ticket for free. Tickets for the Bandits’ Home Opener Weekend can be purchased here .

The Bandits enter 2026 off the heels of the club's best regular season performance in its seven-year history, which included a 19-5 record and a league-best 7 sellout games last year in front of the best fans in the CEBL at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. The Bandits’ full season schedule can be accessed by clicking here .

“Our 2026 schedule represents a major step forward for our club, community gathering and entertainment in British Columbia,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Coming off our strongest season to date, we were intentional about building a fan-first calendar that reflects how our community wants to experience live sporting events with weekend games, accessible start times, and meaningful matchups at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. From Home Opener Weekend to our first-ever neutral site game, 2026 is about continuing to grow the Bandits as a team, a live experience and a community pillar. We are excited to welcome the best fans in the CEBL back and build on the momentum together.”

The 2026 season will also see the inclusion of the Bandits’ first-ever neutral site game when the club hosts Saskatchewan on Saturday, June 6. Further details of the game will be announced in the coming weeks along with upcoming theme nights and single-game ticket sales.

The 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League Playoffs will begin with single-elimination Conference Semifinals on Thursday, August 6, where the 1st seed faces the 4th seed and the 2nd seed faces the 3rd seed in each conference. Winners will advance to the Conference Finals on Saturday, August 8, also single elimination, with higher seeds hosting each round.

The CEBL Finals will be a best-of-three series from August 12–16, marking the first multi-game playoff series in league history:

Game 1 – Wednesday, August 12

Game 2 – Saturday, August 15

Game 3 (if necessary) – Sunday, August 16

The lower seed team will host Game 1, while the higher seed will host Games 2 and 3 (if necessary), replacing the previous single-elimination Championship Weekend host team model.

“These historic changes to our playoff format represent a major milestone for the CEBL and our fans, and they mark a natural progression as the league continues to grow and evolve,” explained CEBL President Tyler Mazereeuw. “Our focus remains on delivering the best possible experience for our teams, players, and fans, and this is another step forward in fulfilling that mission. Our fans and communities have supported this league from the start, and we’re proud to give them a playoff experience that reflects their passion.”

Mazereeuw added, “Championship Weekend played a key role in building the foundation of our league and grew into Canada’s largest annual celebration of professional basketball. While we’re proud of what it became, moving to an in-market model allows us to deepen connections with our local communities and create new traditions that reflect the growth and maturity of the league.”

All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ , and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices). The schedule of nationally televised games, along with broadcast and streaming information will be announced at a later date.

Vancouver Bandits 2026 CEBL season schedule:

Note: All times PT | Home dates are in bold | * June 6 game location TBA

Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Saskatchewan | 6:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre
Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Edmonton | 6:00 p.m. at Edmonton EXPO Centre
Friday, May 22, 2026 vs. Edmonton | 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre
Sunday, May 24, 2026 vs. Calgary | 5:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre
Friday, May 29, 2026 at Niagara | 4:00 p.m. at Meridian Centre
Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Brampton | 4:00 p.m. at CAA Centre
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at Ottawa | 4:30 p.m. at TD Place Arena
Saturday, June 6, 2026 vs. Saskatchewan | 6:00 p.m. at Location TBA*
Saturday, June 13, 2026 vs. Ottawa | 6:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre
Monday, June 15, 2026 vs. Scarborough | 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre
Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Winnipeg | 5:00 p.m. at Canada Life Centre
Saturday, June 20, 2026 vs. Brampton | 6:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre
Saturday, June 27, 2026 vs. Winnipeg | 6:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre
Friday, July 3, 2026 vs. Edmonton | 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre
Sunday, July 5, 2026 vs. Calgary | 12:30 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Saskatchewan | 6:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre
Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Calgary | 6:30 p.m. at WinSport Events Centre
Saturday, July 11, 2026 at Edmonton | 6:00 p.m. at Edmonton EXPO Centre
Friday, July 17, 2026 vs. Montreal | 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Calgary | 6:30 p.m. at WinSport Events Centre
Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Winnipeg | 5:00 p.m. at Canada Life Centre
Saturday, July 25, 2026 vs. Saskatchewan | 6:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at Montreal | 4:30 p.m. at Verdun Auditorium
Sunday, August 2, 2026 vs. Winnipeg | 12:30 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre

A holiday message from Bandits team president Dylan Kular

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 18:23:20 GMT

The following is a letter to Vancouver Bandits fans from Dylan Kular, Bandits team president:

As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank the entire Bandits Basketball community for another unforgettable season. In 2025, you once again proved why this organization is built on more than basketball. It’s built on people, connection, and belief.

From the energy inside Langley Events Centre to the impact we continue to make in schools, gyms, and neighbourhoods across British Columbia, this year reinforced what makes the Bandits special. Together, we’ve continued to grow the game, strengthen our community roots, and push forward with purpose both on and off the court.

Your passion, loyalty, and support fuel everything we do. It’s felt by our players, our staff, our partners, and every young person who connects with the game through the Bandits. We don’t take that responsibility lightly.

As we turn the page to 2026, we do so with momentum, ambition, and a deep sense of gratitude. Thank you for believing in this journey and for standing with us every step of the way.

From all of us at Vancouver Bandits Basketball, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season, and a healthy, successful New Year.

Thank you for being the heartbeat of our organization. Together, we move forward.

With gratitude,

Dylan Kular

Team President, Vancouver Bandits

Bandits Guard Kyle Mangas Signs With NBA's San Antonio Spurs

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:25:19 GMT

Vancouver Bandits guard Kyle Mangas has signed a two-way contract to join the San Antonio Spurs. The news was announced Saturday by the NBA G League on social media.

Mangas was a key member of the Bandits’ best season in franchise history as the club amassed a 19-5 record. During the 2025 summer campaign, Mangas finished top five in points (15.3), rebounds (4.6), assists (3.3) and steals (1.3). His stellar performance earned him a call up to the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA Summer League squad in July 2025.

At the conclusion of the 2025 CEBL season, Mangas suited up for San Antonio’s NBA G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs, dressing in 10 games.

Mangas becomes the third player to sign an NBA two-way contract after playing for the Bandits; the most from any Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) franchise (2023: DJ Steward - Chicago Bulls, 2024: Tazé Moore - Portland Trail Blazers). Mangas is one of two Bandits players to have signed with an NBA organization in 2025-26. Tyrese Samuel signed an Exhibit 10 contract in September 2025 and is working his way towards a two-way contract.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Fans interested in learning more are kindly invited to subscribe to Bandits Insider for updates or contact the Bandits at 604-455-8881 or tickets@thebandits.ca.

Vancouver Bandits and Envision Financial Launch Landmark Partnership to Elevate Culture, Community and Game Day Experience

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:45:00 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have teamed up with Envision Financial , a division of First West Credit Union, in a groundbreaking partnership that redefines the fan experience and deepens community connections.

Under this multi-faceted agreement, the Bandits’ home court at Langley Events Centre will officially be known as “Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre.”

This move marks a significant milestone in the Bandits’ growth and underscores Envision Financial’s deep commitment to the communities of British Columbia. The relationship extends well beyond venue naming, aligning both organizations around culture, youth development, and community engagement.

“This partnership with Envision Financial represents an investment in the long-term growth of basketball in British Columbia,” said Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits. “Their values align deeply with our commitment to community, accessibility, and creating meaningful experiences for families across British Columbia.”

Beyond the naming rights, the partnership delivers impact:

Heritage Series: Co-presented by Envision Financial, these marquee game nights will honour Indigenous, South Asian and Filipino communities, creating vibrant cultural celebrations for fans.
School Tour: Envision Financial joins the Bandits Community Foundation to expand youth leadership and basketball education. Last season, the program visited 77 schools and hosted 12 free coaches’ clinics.

“Partnering with the Vancouver Bandits is about creating something meaningful together, " says Tamara Hendsbee, President at Envision Financial. “By bringing culture and sport to the forefront, we can help communities flourish and open doors for youth to learn and grow. Naming the court is just the beginning; through the Heritage Series and School Tour, we’re proud to work alongside the Bandits to deliver experiences that unite fans and build stronger communities across British Columbia.”

This upcoming season the Bandits will carry forward this strategic collaboration with Envision Financial as a cornerstone of their game-day identity, cultural engagement and community legacy.

Bandits President Dylan Kular Honoured at B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Annual Awards

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 23:06:27 GMT

Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular has been named a recipient of a 2025 B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Annual Award, announced by the Government of B.C. on Tuesday.

The annual awards celebrate people and organizations that demonstrate leadership in promoting multiculturalism, anti-racism and intercultural understanding. Nearly 50 people and organizations were nominated for 2025 awards, recognizing contributions to building inclusive communities. In addition to Kular, three people and one organization are also receiving the B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards for their exceptional efforts to fight racism and promote inclusion in British Columbia.

“These award recipients exemplify the values of inclusion and respect that strengthen our province,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “Their leadership and creativity are inspiring. I am proud to honour their exceptional efforts to break down barriers, foster inclusion and build stronger, more equitable communities across British Columbia.”

Kular was named a recipient of the “Breaking Barriers” award, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their work in tackling systemic or institutional racism and reducing barriers for marginalized communities.

“It is an honour to receive this recognition from the Government of B.C . This award truly reflects the collective efforts of our entire organization,” said Kular. “Our team ownership group provides the leadership that empowers our organization to build and foster meaningful change. The Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation are committed to continue breaking barriers and connecting communities across B.C. through the sport of basketball.”

Under Kular’s leadership in 2025, which saw him earn CEBL Executive of the Year honours for a league-record third time, the Vancouver Bandits led efforts in building inclusive communities through sports and partnerships with Indigenous organizations and diverse populations across the province. Through partnerships and initiatives through the Bandits Community Foundation , such as the Indigenous Basketball Collective , in collaboration with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I-SPARC) and the Junior All Native Tournament (JANT). Kular and the Bandits worked to address systemic barriers and foster meaningful engagement, particularly for individuals with intersecting identities and those in remote areas.

“Advancing anti-racism and intercultural trust requires courage, collaboration and commitment,” said Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives. “These honourees demonstrate all three values through their actions every day. Their efforts to break down barriers and amplify marginalized voices are making a real difference in schools, workplaces and communities across B.C. I am deeply grateful for their leadership and inspired by the positive change they continue to drive.”

The B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards are part of the government’s broader efforts to counter hate and racism by celebrating and empowering local, community-based advocates. Since launching in 2008, more than 60 individuals and organizations have been honoured. Other initiatives include:

an anti-hate community support fund that supports marginalized and at-risk groups with funding for security equipment, graffiti removal and repairs to damaged property
the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network that connects communities with the information, supports and training they need to respond to and prevent future incidents of racism and hate
the B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants, which provide funding to support projects that tackle racial inequity and foster intercultural understanding throughout the province
the Racist Incident Helpline, which partners with local organizations to connect people who have experienced racism with resources to help them heal

Vancouver Bandits Launch 2025-26 School Tour Program Across British Columbia

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:45:21 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation announced the launch of its School Tour program for the 2025-26 school year. The program will see Vancouver Bandits’ Head Coach & General Manager, Kyle Julius, visit secondary schools across British Columbia to host basketball skill and training sessions with student-athletes and their teams.

Entering its third year, this free-of-charge initiative is part of the Bandits’ ongoing commitment to fostering youth basketball and building community connections throughout the province. The tour will run from November to February and will make weekly stops in different cities.

Starting this week, communities that will be visited within the first two weeks of the program include schools in Abbotsford, Mission, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. The full schedule will be announced soon as additional communities are confirmed.

Julius, a passionate advocate for youth sports development and mentorship, will be working directly with student-athletes and volunteer coaches at each school visited to offer insights into the game while emphasizing key life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and discipline.

Throughout the tour, Julius will provide each secondary school’s basketball program with dedicated and tailored practices along with motivational talks and training materials. Each visit aims to elevate the game of basketball in BC high schools and offer a unique opportunity for students and coaches to learn from BC’s only professional basketball coach.

The School Tour program is proudly supported by Preston Chevrolet and NOVO Dental Centre, community-minded sponsors who believe in the value of sports as a catalyst for positive change.

During the previous 2024-25 school year, the Vancouver Bandits School Tour and Julius visited with 77 high school teams across British Columbia from November 2024 to February 2025.

Bandits Co-Owner Milan Mann Joins Global BC

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:07:36 GMT

Bandits president Dylan Kular and Milan Mann, Vancouver Bandits co-owner and president of BM Group join Jay Janower on Global News Morning.

Milan Mann Joins Vancouver Bandits Ownership Group

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 22:00:00 GMT

Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Sports & Entertainment (BSE), owners of the Vancouver Bandits basketball team and shareholders in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), is pleased to announce that Milan Mann, President of The BM Group, has joined the ownership team.

A prominent figure in BC’s construction and real estate ecosystem, Mann has spent over a decade at the helm of the locally-owned construction firm. The BM Group represents a portfolio of construction services, project management, material supply and land development companies. Headquartered in British Columbia and primarily serving the Lower Mainland, The BM Group also has expanded operations and significant holdings in other parts of Canada, the USA and South East Asia.

"It is a privilege and a dream come true to give back to the sport and community that have given me so much. Basketball is a powerful unifier, a vital part of every community’s infrastructure and cultural fabric,” said Mann. “As a community partner and season ticket holder for a few seasons, I have seen the Bandits embody that spirit. The in-game energy and passion from Bandits fans prove that the CEBL is not just entertaining but engaging, competitive, and growing fast, with the Bandits leading that charge. I am grateful to join the existing team and to contribute to the Bandits’ vision on and off the court. With our fans, partners, and community, we have the opportunity to grow the game, strengthen our culture, and inspire the next generation. Go Bandits."

“Milan is the definition of a builder, not just in business but in community,” said Dylan Kular, President, Vancouver Bandits. “He believes in the power of sport to unite people and elevate a region. He has been in our building, he has been in our community, and he has seen firsthand what Bandits Basketball means to this province. Milan coming on board is more fuel to our mission: to grow the game, elevate basketball in BC, and create a franchise our province is proud of. We are thrilled to welcome him into the ownership group as we take our next step.”

Mann joins Kevin Dhaliwal, Founder and President of Essence Properties , and Bryan Slusarchuk, Principal of SluzCap , in the Bandits ownership group. Since purchasing the Vancouver Bandits in September 2022 , Dhaliwal and Slusarchuk have helped guide the club through meaningful progress both on and off the court.

This announcement comes on the heels of the Bandits earning five CEBL Business Awards in the past two seasons, including Franchise of the Year (2025), the Digital Excellence Award (2024), the Community Champion Award (2024 & 2025) and Executive of the Year (2025, Dylan Kular). The Bandits are regarded as one of the premier franchises in the CEBL, also earning back-to-back CEBL basketball awards, including Most Valuable Player (2024, Tazé Moore; 2025, Mitch Creek), Canadian Player of the Year (2024, Koby McEwen; 2025, Tyrese Samuel) and Coach of the Year (2024 & 2025, Kyle Julius).

Season Tickets and Jam Packs are on sale now for the upcoming 2026 season, slated to tip off in early May. More information can be found at thebandits.ca .

Four Bandits Players Named to 2025 NBA G League Training Camp Squads

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:46:38 GMT

Four players who have previously suited up for the Vancouver Bandits have been named to rosters at NBA G League training camp, in advance of the beginning of the season on November 7, 2025.

The NBA G League serves as the NBA’s official minor league and features 31 teams, with 30 clubs having one-to-one affiliations with NBA franchises.

The reigning CEBL Canadian Player of the Year and All-CEBL First Team member Tyrese Samuel will join the Phoenix Suns’ affiliate, Valley Suns. An integral member for the Bandits in 2025, Samuel finished second in the CEBL in scoring with 24.4 points per game, ranked third in three-point percentage (48.6%), and fourth in field goal percentage (58.4%) while appearing in and starting in 16 games.

The San Antonio Spurs’ affiliate, Austin Spurs, will feature guard Kyle Mangas. The sharpshooter made 16 appearances with 14 starts during the 2025 season, while finishing the summer ranked top five on the team in points (15.3), assists (3.3) and three-pointers made (2.7).

A member of the 2023 Bandits roster, Giorgi Bezhanishvili will take the court with the Chicago Bulls’ affiliate, Windy City Bulls. Appearing and starting in 19 games, the Georgian forward averaged 15.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

MJ Walker, who suited up in nine games for the Bandits in 2023, joins the Atlanta Hawks’ affiliate, College Park Skyhawks, ahead of the NBA G League campaign.

Dylan Kular Named 2025 CEBL Executive of the Year

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:58:52 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits, has been named the 2025 CEBL Executive of the Year, earning the honour for a league-record third time (2021, 2022). The recognition comes a day after the Bandits secured the 2025 CEBL Community Champion Award, marking the second Business Award for the franchise this season and the fifth in just two years .

The CEBL has now revealed three of its four annual Business Award winners this year, with the Calgary Surge capturing the Digital Excellence Award on Monday. The league’s 2025 Franchise of the Year recipient will be announced tomorrow (October 30).

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Awarded to a team executive who best lives the values of the CEBL by leading with integrity and good governance, fosters a positive organizational culture, leads a franchise that has demonstrated success on the basketball court, in the community and with the overall performance and development of their club’s business during the past year, demonstrates a long-term vision to grow their franchise in its market, and contributes to the success of the league beyond their own club while being an inspiration and valued colleague to peers around the CEBL.

2025 Winner: Dylan Kular, President, Vancouver Bandits

Under Dylan Kular’s leadership in 2025, the Vancouver Bandits combined on-court excellence with strong business and community performance. The team finished the regular season with the league’s best record (19-5), led all CEBL franchises in ticketing and group sales growth, and achieved the highest year-over-year gains in digital engagement and social media followership.

The Bandits also earned top individual basketball honours this summer at the 2025 CEBL Awards , including Coach of the Year (Kyle Julius), MVP (Mitch Creek) and Canadian Player of the Year / Clutch Player of the Year (Tyrese Samuel).

Off the court, Kular oversaw the successful launch of the Bandits Community Foundation, leading to the aforementioned back-to-back Community Champion Awards, and helped secure the addition of renowned basketball content creator and viral sensation Tristan Jass to the CEBL , in collaboration with the league and Electrolit Canada.

Other notable off-court highlights include:

Fifth Business Award in two seasons for the franchise
Expansion of fan and group engagement initiatives across British Columbia

Kular’s leadership continues to set the standard for excellence in the CEBL, blending competitive success with business growth, community engagement, and innovation.

The 2025 CEBL Business Awards consist of four awards, given in recognition of accomplishments at both the team and executive levels ( Award – Announcement Date – Winner):

Digital Excellence Award – Monday, October 27 – Calgary Surge

Community Champion – Tuesday, October 28 – Vancouver Bandits

Executive of the Year – Wednesday, October 29 – Dylan Kular, President, Vancouver Bandits

Franchise of the Year – Thursday, October 30 – TBA

Award winners were voted on by various groups comprised of league and team executives, including, but not limited to, members of the CEBL’s Leadership Team and all 10 team presidents.

Vancouver Bandits Earn Community Champion Award for Second Straight Year

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:28:00 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that the Vancouver Bandits have been named the 2025 CEBL Community Champion, earning the honour for a second consecutive season . The Community Champion Award is the second of four 2025 CEBL Business Awards to be presented this week.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD

Awarded to the franchise that has demonstrated a dedication to and understanding of local communities through notable, creative, and sustainable outreach that prioritize the CEBL values of innovation, inclusion, diversity, and meaningful experiences for fans and others.

2025 Winner: Vancouver Bandits

In 2025, the Vancouver Bandits expanded their community reach through the launch of the Bandits Community Foundation , a charitable organization overseeing programs such as the Community Champion Initiative, Indigenous Basketball Collective, First Buckets, Secondary Buckets, and Inspiring Bandits Scholarship.

The club also became the first CEBL team to unveil a Filipino Heritage jersey and logo , with proceeds benefiting United Way BC and the Canadian Red Cross to support those affected by events following the Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Day Festival.

Continuing their commitment to the Terry Fox Foundation, the Bandits signed a multi-year partnership supporting Canadian cancer research, including the return of their Terry Fox tribute jerseys.

Community engagement remained a cornerstone of the Bandits’ efforts this year, with additional highlights including:

Hosting the fourth annual BC Basketball Festival at Langley Events Centre
Awarding six scholarships through the Inspiring Bandits program at the BC High School Basketball Championships
Delivering 77 on-court sessions and 12 free coaching clinics through Secondary Buckets, led by Bandits head coach Kyle Julius
Refurbishing Grays Park in South Vancouver through the Court Projects initiative
Hosting three cultural heritage theme games (Filipino Heritage, South Asian Heritage, and Indigenous Celebration), each ranking among the club’s top five attended home games in 2025

The Bandits also launched a successful bid to host the 2026 Junior All Native Basketball Tournament, one of the largest youth basketball events in Canada, in partnership with Kwantlen First Nation and Vancity Nation youth basketball.

The 2025 Community Champion Award recognizes the Vancouver Bandits’ sustained leadership and impact across British Columbia, reflecting their ongoing commitment to community, inclusion, and excellence in basketball.

The 2025 CEBL Business Awards consist of four awards, given in recognition of accomplishments at both the team and executive levels ( Award – Announcement Date – Winner):

Digital Excellence Award – Monday, October 27 – Calgary Surge

Community Champion – Tuesday, October 28 – Vancouver Bandits

Executive of the Year – Wednesday, October 29 – TBA

Franchise of the Year – Thursday, October 30 – TBA

Award winners were voted on by various groups comprised of league and team executives, including, but not limited to, members of the CEBL’s Leadership Team and all 10 team presidents.

Largest Annual Indigenous Sports Gathering in British Columbia Coming to Langley - 2026 Junior All Native Basketball Tournament

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 20:28:47 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation, Vancity Nation Basketball and Kwantlen First Nation are proud to host the 2026 BC Junior All Native basketball tournament, taking place March 15-20, 2026 in Langley, BC.

The Junior All Native Tournament (JANT) is the largest Indigenous youth sports gathering in British Columbia and one of the biggest basketball tournaments in Canada, drawing over 1,200 youth athletes, over 10,000 travellers and over 100 teams from across the province. Additionally, more than 100 Indigenous communities will be attending and represented at the annual tournament.

“Vancity Nation is proud to partner with Kwantlen First Nation, Bandits Community Foundation and Vancouver Bandits to bring JANT to Langley,” said Nicole Cardinal, team manager of Vancity Nation basketball club. ”This is an opportunity for Vancity Nation to showcase our urban youth who live away from their communities and play a sport they love with Indigenous youth from across BC. Vancity Nation is made of volunteer coaches and managers who provide low cost basketball opportunities for our youth, and together we hope we build pathways that strengthen identity, and community connection. This goes a long way in raising young, productive leaders in a sport they love.”

Langley Events Centre will serve as the tournament’s primary venue, hosting the opening ceremony on March 15 and championship games on March 20. Games will also be played at venues that include RE Mountain Secondary, Langley Secondary, Walnut Grove Secondary, Peter Ewart Middle and Yorkson Creek Middle schools in Langley.

The 2026 edition of the tournament marks the first time in eight years that the event has been hosted in the Lower Mainland, with the last occurrence in 2018 hosted at North Vancouver’s Capilano University.

“On behalf of Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation, we are honoured to serve as custodians of the 2026 BC Junior All Native basketball tournament while standing side-by-side with Kwantlen First Nation and VanCity Nation Basketball. Basketball has always been a powerful connector and the Junior All Native basketball tournament is a testament to that,” said Dylan Kular, president of the Vancouver Bandits. “The Junior All Native basketball tournament represents the very best of what sport can do such as bringing people together, celebrating culture, and inspiring the next generation.”

The Junior All Native Tournament has been a cornerstone event for nearly 50 years, uniting young athletes and their families from Indigenous communities across BC. The tournament aims to inspire Indigenous youth to pursue their goals and make the most of their potential, while improving their fitness and skill levels. The tournament rotates annually between the three regions of Northern BC, Coastal BC, and Interior BC, with the most recent tournament hosted by the Syilx Okanagan Nation in 2025.

Information on the 2026 tournament, including team registration, can be found at www.jant.ca

Vancouver Bandits Guard & Electrolit Athlete Tristan Jass Breaks Four Guinness World Records Titles in Just Four Hours

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 19:49:13 GMT

Electrolit athlete and viral basketball sensation Tristan Jass has officially broken four Guinness World Records™ titles in just four hours. The record-shattering event took place at the home of the Vancouver Bandits — Langley Events Centre in Langley, British Columbia — with Electrolit fueling Jass’s monumental performance.

With laser focus and electrifying energy, Jass shattered multiple Guinness World Records, each verified on-site by an official Guinness World Records judge, including:

Longest Basketball Shot (Blindfolded)
Farthest Basketball Bounce Shot
Most Consecutive Behind-the-Backboard Shots
Most Basketball Layups in One Minute

With more than 10 million followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, Tristan Jass is a global sensation, known for his jaw-dropping trick shots and ball-handling skills. The record-breaking day marks another high point in Jass’s rising career, following his recent stint playing with the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Watch the full video on Tristan Jass’ YouTube channel to see every record-breaking moment in action: https://youtu.be/_J6Z71vhe3U

“Man, this is unreal. I’ve always been about doing things differently, pushing the limits, getting creative, and just having fun with the game. Breaking four Guinness World Records titles in one day? It was a grind. But Electrolit kept me hydrated, and that’s everything when it comes to performing at my best. I’m grateful, I’m hyped, and I’m just getting started,” said Jass.

Electrolit is available at major retailers as well as online through Amazon, to support active lifestyles of all shapes and sizes, from work to play to sports. For more information, visit www. electrolit.com or follow them on Instagram or Facebook @Electrolit

Bandits Forward Tyrese Samuel Signs Exhibit 10 Contract With Phoenix Suns for 2025 NBA Training Camp

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 20:53:18 GMT

Vancouver Bandits forward Tyrese Samuel has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Phoenix Suns and was named to the club’s 21-player training camp roster. The news was announced by the Suns on social media and the club’s website in a release .

Introduced in the NBA’s 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement, Exhibit 10 contracts are one-year deals. They can include a potential bonus if the player spends time with the team’s G League affiliate.

Samuel is expected to practice and compete with the Suns during the 2025-26 Training Camp and preseason from October 3rd to 14th, which will feature four games including two matchups played in Macau as part of the NBA China Games series.

The reigning CEBL Canadian Player of the Year and CEBL First Team All Star, Samuel was an integral member for the Bandits, appearing in and starting in 16 games. Establishing himself as a dominant presence, Samuel finished second in the CEBL in scoring with 24.4 points per game, ranked third in three-point percentage (48.6%), and fourth in field goal percentage (58.4%).

Bandits Partner With Vancouver Park Board to Refurbish Outdoor Basketball Court at Grays Park

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:03:33 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has partnered with the Vancouver Park Board, Bandits Community Foundation and Little Legends Foundation to support the refurbishment of an outdoor basketball court at Grays Park in South Vancouver.

The refreshed court will be unveiled this fall as part of an official launch event in collaboration between the Vancouver Bandits, Vancouver Park Board, Bandits Community Foundation and Little Legends Foundation. The court refurbishment project is part of the Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects program that enhances outdoor basketball courts across British Columbia, including most recently a court refurbishment in partnership with City of Pitt Meadows in September of 2024.

“Building a world class basketball court in this community has been a long time dream. Thanks to our partners at the Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation and Vancouver Park Board for coming together to make this project happen - there are a number of incredible donors we are going to announce in the coming weeks,” said Little Legends Foundation founder Spensir Sangara. “Grays Park was the perfect place for Court Projects, the basketball culture here is strong and connected. The legacy goes beyond the refurbishment where, with Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation, we are going to host free youth camps and The Legendary Tournament at Grays Park starting in 2026.”

The partnership was sparked in 2023 when Sangara expressed interest in building a basketball court for the South Vancouver community. Around the same time, the Bandits Community Foundation had completed a similar project in Pitt Meadows with the City of Pitt Meadows, creating a natural alignment between the two organizations.

“Basketball has the power to bring people together, and this project is about more than just a court - it is about creating a safe, vibrant space where young people and families can connect, play, and grow,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “We are proud to work through Court Projects with our partners in the Vancouver Park Board, Bandits Community Foundation, and Little Legends Foundation to invest in South Vancouver and to use sport as a tool for building resilience, unity, and positive change in the community.”

The court refurbishment at Grays Park, located at 4850 St. Catherines Street in Vancouver, includes upgrades to the basketball hoops, playing area resurfacing and seating areas. Grays Park was identified as one of Vancouver’s most active outdoor basketball spaces, and community feedback strongly supported the refurbishment.

"It has been amazing to see the local community come together with the Vancouver Bandits to upgrade this beloved neighbourhood court," says Vancouver Park Board Chair Laura Christensen. "Strategic partnerships like this allow us to deliver so much public benefit for our residents.

A Message from Vancouver Bandits head coach Kyle Julius

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 04:11:02 GMT

A message from Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius on the 2025 season and thoughts on the CEBL Western Conference Semifinal.

Bandits Fall In Tightly Contested Western Conference Semifinal

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 00:14:32 GMT

The last of this year’s four CEBL conference finalists was locked in once the dust settled at the Langley Events Centre on Saturday.

It was the Calgary Surge earning that slot after 105-103 win over the Vancouver Bandits in the West Semifinal.

Import Jameer Nelson Jr.’s 14-of-23 showing from the field and Evan Gilyard II, who finished with 29 points on a CEBL playoff record eight made triples, powered the Surge to the win.

On the other side, Zach Copeland led Vancouver’s effort as he put up 30 points on 7-of-14 shooting from three and three steals. Meanwhile, captain Mitch Creek and Montreal native Tyrese Samuel chipped in 25 and 22 points, respectively.

“We hunted them down, got to a position to win the game,” Creek said after the loss. “We did our job … I’m beyond proud of this organization. It’s been an incredible season, we had so much fun. But it’s so heartbreaking.”

Calgary’s backcourt was humming early. First, a Miller-Moore baseline drive and dish to Gilyard II above the break for a triple, followed by a Gilyard II drive and wrap-around pass to a cutting Nelson Jr. for two more and then a Gilyard II transition make from distance for good measure.

But just as it seemed Calgary was well on its way to figuring out Vancouver’s defensive strategy as the Surge held an early lead, the tides quickly changed on one play. The Bandits ran a fastbreak midway through the opening frame that not only ended with Creek finding Samuel on a dump-off pass for an easy slam, but also saw Nelson Jr. tweak something in his lower body.

The Defensive Player of the Year finalist hobbled to the Surge sideline and eventually the locker room. When the Defensive Player of the Year finalist did return to the floor, what was once an 18-18 ball game had turned into a 26-18 Bandits lead. Vancouver’s charge went down as a 13-0 run as it ultimately carved out a 27-23 advantage after the first, led by Samuel’s eight points.

A short-lived lead, however, as Calgary flipped the script on what was once a nine-point first-half deficit into a 61-51 lead at the break. The Surge outscored the Bandits 35-22 in the second, including a 17-2 run powered primarily by none other than the dynamic duo of Nelson Jr. and Gilyard II, who scored seven and 12 points in the frame, respectively.

Also underscoring Calgary’s halftime lead was an uncharacteristically sloppy showing from Vancouver. The Bandits entered the matchup averaging the third fewest turnovers per game (13.7), but gave the ball away 11 times in the first half. Mistakes the Surge happily capitalized on with a barrage of transition triples — on 11-of-20 (55 per cent) — for a 21-1 edge for points from turnovers.

And although the Bandits' struggles handling the ball continued — 10 second-half turnovers — they were able to cool down the Surge coming out of the break. Vancouver outscored Calgary 23-17 in the third, cutting what was a deficit as large as 14 down to 78-74 headed into the fourth.

“We were sluggish walking around in the first half, but we came in the huddle at halftime and says ‘we got this,’” Creek said of the Bandits' second-half effort. “We changed gears, we switched mentalities and (the Langley Events Centre) woke up because we woke up.”

The Bandits' momentum only continued from there as they used an 8-2 run early in the fourth to propel them to a 96-95 lead at the start of Target Score Time. Lost in the one-point advantage was a choice from Vancouver not to foul when they led by four a few possessions earlier, a decision Gilyard II made sure to make the most of as he hit a triple before the clocks stopped.

After three consecutive foul calls which sent Vancouver to the line, which were overturned by independent official review, a back-and-forth Target Score Time came down to one final play that put the ball in Gilyard II’s hands. The import was fouled by Kyle Mangas while attempting a triple, sending him to the line for the win.

After an official review — all foul calls that result in potential game-winning free throws are automatically reviewed — the on-court decision was confirmed and Gilyard II nailed all his attempts at the charity stripe, booking the Surge’s spot in the Western Conference Final.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2700450

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Calgary Surge (08/16/2025)

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 23:04:12 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on August 16th, 2025.

Bandits Mitch Creek and Tyrese Samuel Headline 2025 CEBL Award Nominees

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 16:58:07 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits, in conjunction with the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), announced that forwards Mitch Creek and Tyrese Samuel are among the nominees for Most Valuable Player and Canadian Player of the Year, respectively, at the 2025 CEBL Awards.

The 2025 CEBL Awards, taking place on Thursday, August 21 at 5 p.m. PDT at The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre (The MET) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, serve as the first official event of 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) , which runs from August 21 to 24.

In total, eight individual CEBL awards will be presented in 2025.

2025 CEBL Award Finalists

Most Valuable Player: Mitch Creek (Vancouver Bandits), Sean East II (Edmonton Stingers)

Canadian Player of the Year: Sean Miller-Moore (Calgary Surge), Tyrese Samuel (Vancouver Bandits)

Sixth Man of the Year: Chris Smith (Edmonton Stingers), Zane Waterman (Ottawa BlackJacks)

Defensive Player of the Year: Greg Brown III (Calgary Surge), Jameer Nelson Jr. (Calgary Surge)

Developmental Player of the Year: Aaron Rhooms (Edmonton Stingers), Isaac Simon (Saskatchewan Rattlers)

The 2025 CEBL Coach of the Year, Clutch Player of the Year (most Target Score Winners), Fox 40 Officiating Recognition Award winner and All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian teams will also be announced at the CEBL Awards on August 21.

Creek’s leadership and production were instrumental in Vancouver’s league-best 19-5 record this season. He finished second in the CEBL in scoring with 24.4 points per game, ranked third in three-point percentage (48.6%), and fourth in field goal percentage (58.4%). The 6-foot-5 Australian's 488 total points were the second-highest in the league in 2025 and the fourth-most ever recorded in a single CEBL season. He also ranked among the league's top 10 in several other categories, including free throws made (2nd – 110), field goals made (3rd – 171), minutes played (6th – 687.7), and steals (9th – 30).

In his first CEBL season, Samuel was a dominant presence for the Bandits and the only player in the league to average more than 20 points (21.4) and 10 rebounds (10.8) per game. Despite appearing in just 15 games, the Canadian big man tied for the league lead with six Target Score Winners and led the CEBL in field goal percentage (65.9%). He also ranked third in rebounds per game and tied for third with eight double-doubles.

All CEBL award winners will receive a customized ring from Jostens, the official Supplier of Awards and Rings of the CEBL; a custom trophy from protocole, crafted from maple and solid metal with a silkscreened CEBL logo; and a special gift from the league’s partner, Foot Locker.

Award nominees and winners are determined by votes cast by the league’s head coaches, general managers, assistant coaches, select league broadcasters, and internal media personnel. Team representatives are prohibited from voting for a player or head coach from their own team.

The 2025 CEBL Playoffs begin tomorrow (Thursday, August 14) with a Play-In round doubleheader at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. PT. The Bandits will host the Western Conference Semifinal on Saturday, August 16th at 12:30 PM PT at Langley Events Centre between either the Edmonton Stingers or Calgary Surge. Tickets for the single-elimination playoff game start as low as $20 per person and are on sale now at this link .

For full details on the CEBL’s playoff format and 2025 matchups, please visit: https://www.cebl.ca/playoffs

The four-team CW25, hosted this year at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, features a Conference Finals doubleheader Friday, August 22, and the CEBL Championship Final on Sunday, August 24. The Championship Final official halftime performer will be acclaimed Canadian rapper k-os, while Winnipeg-based musicians The Lytics and Boogey The Beat will perform at the Conference Finals doubleheader. Ticket and event information is available at cebl.ca/championshipweekend .

Tyrese Samuel Named CEBL Player of the Week

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 19:28:06 GMT

Vancouver Bandits forward Tyrese Samuel was named the CEBL's Player of the Week, the league announced today. This marks the first weekly honour of Samuel's CEBL career, and the third received by a Bandits player this season ( Mitch Creek: August 4, 2025 and Zach Copeland: July 14, 2025 ).

Creek averaged 32.5 points, 17.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 74.3 per cent from the field across two games during the final week of the CEBL season; the Bandits went 2-0 during that stretch.

On August 8, Samuel scored a game-high 32 points with 18 rebounds and 14-for-21 shooting from the field in a 102-95 road win in Scarborough. On August 10, Samuel recorded 33 points, 17 rebounds, five assists on 15-for-18 field shooting.

Vancouver Bandits to host CEBL Western Conference Semifinal

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:02:42 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits will host the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Western Conference Semifinal. This single-elimination playoff game will tip off on Saturday, August 16th at 12:30 PM PT at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

Single game tickets start as low as $20 per person and are on sale now at this link .

Vancouver secured home court advantage by finishing first place in the Western Conference with a 19-5 record, good for first place overall in the CEBL and the best regular season finish in franchise history. LEC was also the setting for 10 Bandits wins this summer, including seven sold-out games, tying the record for most home wins in a single CEBL regular season.

Saturday will be the first time in two years that LEC will host a playoff game, with the Bandits previously playing in the 2023 CEBL Western Conference Final. This also marks the sixth-straight postseason appearance for the club, dating back to the 2020 season.

The Bandits will await the winner of the CEBL Western Conference Play-In Game, which takes place on Thursday, August 14 between the second-seeded Calgary Surge and third-seeded Edmonton Stingers.

The winner of the Western Conference Semifinal will advance to 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) to face the host team, the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The four-team CW25, hosted this year at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, features a Conference Finals doubleheader on Friday, August 22, followed by the CEBL Championship Final on Sunday, August 24.

The CEBL Western Conference Semifinal, along with all CEBL playoff games, will air nationally on TSN and can also be streamed for free on plus.CEBL.ca .

For full details on the CEBL playoff format, visit cebl.ca/playoffs .

Bandits Close Out Regular Season with Record-Setting Win over BlackJacks

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 23:02:13 GMT

With both teams having their playoff seeding locked in coming into the game, the Vancouver Bandits and Ottawa BlackJacks didn’t have much to play for other than giving the fans a show.

That’s precisely what they did.

The Bandits set a CEBL scoring record since the introduction of Target Time, and the teams combined for the second-highest scoring CEBL game ever when Vancouver downed Ottawa 130-112.

Mitch Creek and Tyrese Samuel led the way for the road team, with Creek scoring a game-high 36 points while Samuel added 33 to go with 17 rebounds. Shamar Givance scored a CEBL career-high 22 points along with eight assists, while Kyle Mangas and Zach Copeland both had 12.

“We have a group of guys that are super competitive,” Bandits head coach Kyle Julius said of his team. “We have a drill that we practice that nobody wants to do, but as soon as they start doing it, they start competing and talking trash and getting after it. So, we said that’s what today was: today was going to be that drill. As soon as that ball was tipped, they just competed. For me, I told them I’m proud to work with them. They’re a competitive group; they’re a great group of guys. To them, I don’t think there’s any game in the world that wouldn’t mean anything. They want to play and compete.”

Both teams came out setting the pace immediately.

Vancouver built up a 21-9 lead before Ottawa stormed back with a 13-5 run of their own to cut the deficit to four. The squads would continue trading baskets – each seemingly unable to stop the other – until the Bandits took a 73-62 lead into halftime. That score by the Bandits is the second highest halftime total in the CEBL’s history, trailing only the then-Guelph Nighthawks record of 75 in 2019.

It seemed that no matter what the BlackJacks would do, the Bandits would find a way to get the ball into either Creek or Samuel’s hand and get a basket. While the home team never went away, often cutting the lead down to single digits throughout the entirety of the contest, those two players made sure the outcome was never in question.

“Tyrese is an incredible kid. Probably one of the more coachable players I’ve ever had,” Julius said. “He wants to get better, his work ethic is incredible. I think he’ll play in the NBA and I think it will be sooner rather than later. I’m proud that he chose to come play with us and work with us. He leads by example. The guys love him. When he’s out there playing like he did tonight, we’ll be tough to beat.

“Mitch is by far and away the best player and leader that I’ve ever had,” he added. “He’s amazing. His game, the way he treats his teammates, the way he respects the process, the way he takes care of himself … he cares about his teammates. I don’t know what’s better, his personality or his game. He’s an exceptional player, teammate and person.”

“It would be really easy for me to sit here and talk about how we didn’t play defense, but understanding the game and the season that we’ve had … Today was more about getting through the game and staying healthy, giving some other people more opportunities,” BlackJacks head coach Dave DeAveiro said. “Would I had liked to see us play better defense? Of course. I thought we did a really good job of offensive shooting. But there’s different things you can take away from this game; Justin (Ndjock-Tadjore)’s growth, Alvin (Icyogere) getting an opportunity, giving some guys a little bit more of a run than we normally would.”

Ndjock-Tadjore had a coming out game in the regular season finale, tying for the team lead in points with 19. Javonte Smart was the other player to reach the mark. Deng Adel had 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Keevan Veinot had 15 points, and team captain Tyrell Tate had 13.

“It’s been a roller coaster of a season,” said Adel, whose driving layup early in the third quarter saw him become the tenth player in CEBL history to reach the 1,000-point plateau. “Obviously starting 2-6 is tough, but we kind of have this thing in Ottawa where we get to the midway point of the season, guys just start ramping up, start playing better ball as a team. The support has been amazing all year, so that’s helped us lock in. There’s something about the halfway point that we just collectively come together.”

Both teams now head into the postseason unsure of who their first matchup will be. The Bandits will host the winner of the Calgary Surge and Edmonton Stinger matchup in Langley, while the BlackJacks will play the winner of the Montreal Alliance and Scarborough Shooting Stars game in Gatineau.

“We won’t know who we’re playing until Thursday night. So, making sure that over the next level while we get beter, we get healthy,” DeAveiro said. “That’s the first thing. Then we get into practices and work on things that we can do better as a group, focusing on us. The good thing is we’ve seen each other those teams two, three, four times. It’s not about the surprises. It’s just a few minor adjustments here and there.”

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600680

Bandits Clinch First in the West with Victory over Scarborough

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 03:56:53 GMT

The Scarborough Shooting Stars had a hard time keeping up with the Vancouver Bandits.

Even the mops at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre had a difficult time soaking up all the sweat flying off the players as Vancouver set the pace. They set the tone early – scoring 32 points in the first quarter – and never gave up a lead en route to a 102-95 victory.

Vancouver head coach and general manager Kyle Julius methodically took timeouts to kill Scarborough’s momentum, and had an answer every time his squad took time to regroup.

Player of the Game, Tyrese Samuel, hit two free throws to not only win the game, but clinch first in the West for the Bandits, which means Vancouver will host the Western Conference Semifinal. Scarborough will finish the season as the third seed in the East, and will host the Montreal Alliance in the Eastern Conference Play-In.

Samuel had a monstrous 32-point and franchise-record tying 18-rebound double-double performance. Vancouver went inside every time they needed him. Mitch Creek also played a huge role throughout the game with a 23-point game performance.

However, it was the depth of Vancouver’s roster that made them the league’s very best.

“We love each other,” Samuel said after the game. “We hold each other accountable.”

All five starters scored in double-digits. Shamar Givance (20 points) nailed a triple to give Vancouver a 7-0 start, and his triple in the third gave them a 12-point lead.

Zach Copeland’s threes in the second quarter killed any momentum Scarborough thought they had.

Duane Notice came off the bench, but hit an important triple in the fourth to make it a 11-point lead.

Though there are no moral victories in the CEBL, it was a confidence booster for Scarborough as they gave the league’s best a run for their money again. Today, they punched back, getting within four points in the fourth quarter.

The last time the two played, Scarborough had the lead in the third, but Vancouver surged back and won in a nailbiter, 100-97. From Coach Julius’ perspective, this game would have been an improvement.

Scarborough showed tremendous fight this game. Cat Barber remained sidelined, but Donovan Williams (20 points) and Terquavion Smith (18 points) punched back. Williams’ two-handed slam in the final frame forced Julius to take a timeout. Williams had another one earlier in the second quarter.

Smith recovered from an injury in the third quarter after he had nailed a bucket at the buzzer.

Michael Foster Jr. (20 points) hit threes for the first time in his CEBL career, making three of them.

“He’s made us a lot more versatile. His ability to play both inside and out, handle the glass for us, and just being an athletic presence inside for us has really helped us out,” Scarborough head coach Mike De Giorgio said.

Like Vancouver, Scarborough relied on its depth today, too. Jaden Campbell had 19 points off the bench and made a game-high five three-pointers, hitting them in pivotal periods of the game. Khalil Miller is becoming increasingly comfortable with his three-point range, hitting two of them.

Box score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600674

Mitch Creek Named CEBL Player of the Week

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:41:03 GMT

Vancouver Bandits forward Mitch Creek was named the CEBL's Player of the Week, the league announced today. This marks the first weekly honour of Creek's CEBL career, and the second received by a Bandits player this season ( Zach Copeland: July 14, 2025 ).

Creek averaged 31.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks while shooting 67.7% from the field and 87.5% from the free throw line across two games in the opening week of August.The Bandits went 2-0 during that stretch.

On August 1, Creek scored a game-high 35 points to go along with 9 rebounds and 13-for-17 shooting from the field in a 121-105 win at home over Edmonton. On August 3, Creek recorded another game-high total scoring 27 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Bandits Impress Sellout Crowd With Decisive Win Over Sea Bears

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 03:34:19 GMT

Vancouver cruised to a 106-74 victory over Winnipeg in a potential Championship Weekend preview on Sunday (Aug. 3).

On Fan Appreciation Night, the sellout crowd of 5,504 at Langley Events Centre had a lot to appreciate. After setting a franchise record with 121 points on Friday, the Bandits followed that up with another offensive outburst.

The duo of Mitch Creek and Tyrese Samuel paced the Vancouver attack with a combined 51 points.

Creek netted a game-high 27 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists. Meanwhile, Samuel flirted with a double-double, scoring 24 points to go along with nine rebounds.

Zach Copeland complemented the frontcourt with consistent outside shooting, contributing 19 points as well.

Vancouver improves its record to 17-5 on the season and maintains its spot atop the Western Conference with the Calgary Surge in pursuit.

“The west is not the east … we've got [17] wins and we're biting and clawing to finish this thing out on top. So the West is a beast over here, and it's serious, and I'm proud that we're at the top of it for sure,” said Kyle Julius, head coach of the Bandits.

Vancouver forced 19 Winnipeg turnovers, leading to 24 points. The Bandits’ defence also sparked the transition offence, outscoring the Sea Bears 27-4 on the fastbreak.

Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor said the Bandits came ready to play and “jumped all over” the Sea Bears.

“People will look at the transition defence from our team or the fastbreak points from them, but I'm more concerned about our half-court offensive execution. I thought they were physical with good ball pressure. We didn't get the type of shots that we wanted,” Taylor said.

Simi Shittu led the charge for Winnipeg with another double-double. The big man battled his way to 20 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. He said Winnipeg needs to tighten its transition defence moving forward.

“We didn't come out the way we did in the last couple of games,” Shittu said. “[We were] fighting back most of the game.”

Jalen Harris added 11 points and 7 assists while reaching a significant milestone. Harris became the ninth player in CEBL history to score 1,000 points all-time in regular-season and playoff games.

“For the last several years, Jalen has been one of the top players in the league. For him as an import player to come in and have some of these accomplishments – it's a great thing,” Taylor said.

Winnipeg veteran and former Bandit Alex Campbell became the fifth player in CEBL history to join the 500-rebound club on Sunday, collecting three boards just an hour after Edmonton’s Nick Hornsby hit the milestone in a separate game.

Vancouver’s offence was dominant to start the game. After an early exchange of buckets, the Bandits seized control with a 16-0 run that featured triples from Creek and Copeland, along with inside finishes from Samuel.

Trevon Scott and Shittu kept the Winnipeg attack afloat, but Vancouver entered the second quarter with a 33-24 lead.

Efficient offence continued for Vancouver in the second, carried by Creek and Samuel. The pair combined for 18 points in the frame, including highlight reel jams from Samuel.

Vancouver’s defence also stepped up, holding Winnipeg to 10 points in the second quarter to head into the locker room with a 60-34 advantage.

Copeland caught fire from long-range in the third with a pair of trifectas in a back-and-forth quarter. However, the Bandits maintained a sizable 83-55 lead heading into the final frame.

Vancouver built on its lead with a 10-0 run early in the fourth that featured a pair of triples from Creek. Copeland and Maurice Calloo traded buckets before Target Score Time, with Vancouver entering the final stretch ahead 31.

Five points from Creek, a triple from Shamar Givance and a game-winning putback from Samuel propelled the Bandits to the win.

Vancouver claims the regular season series against Winnipeg after splitting the first two games.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600665

Up next for both teams

Winnipeg returns to Canada Life Centre for a meeting with the Niagara River Lions on Wednesday (Aug. 6) in another possible Championship Weekend preview. The Bandits hit the road for the final two games of the regular season with a matchup against Scarborough next Friday (Aug. 8) first on the agenda.

Next CEBL action

Vancouver will be keenly watching Calgary’s visit to Montréal on Monday (Aug. 4) with implications for the top spot in the Western Conference. For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Winnipeg Sea Bears (08/03/2024)

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 02:58:49 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on August 3rd, 2025.

Roster Update: Sunday, August 3 vs. Winnipeg

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 20:15:55 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster updates in advance of its Friday, August 1 away game against the Edmonton Stingers at 6:00 p.m. PT:

F Majok Gum will wear jersey number 23, F Grant Shephard will wear jersey number 15, F Kur Jongkuch will wear jersey number 99.

G Izaiah Brockington, G Corey Davis Jr., G David Mutabazi and G Tristan Jass remain on the Club's Suspended List.

Bandits Smash Franchise Scoring Record and Secure Home Playoff Game

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 04:18:13 GMT

The road through the Western Conference will go through Vancouver.

The Bandits smashed their franchise single-game scoring record in a 121-105 victory over the Edmonton Stingers on Friday at the Edmonton Expo Centre.

Vancouver’s win assured it would finish no worse than second in the Western Conference, while being guaranteed a home playoff game.

The Bandits can now fall no further than second in the West. They lead the conference at 16-5 on the season.

“We trust ourselves down the stretch because we are fierce, we are strong, we are trained mentally, physically, spiritually at a very high level. That’s what the Bandits do,” said captain Mitch Creek.

Edmonton fell to 12-8 and can no longer catch the Bandits with four games left to play. The Stingers’ loss was just their second in the past 10 games — both at the hands of Vancouver.

And the Bandits’ latest win came in classic fashion for this team.

After a tightly contested first half, the Bandits trailed by one point early in the third quarter. Then, head coach Kyle Julius called a timeout.

And in the blink of an eye, Vancouver and its quick-strike offence had built a 15-point lead.

“Just challenged them. We’ve been doing it all year,” Julius said of his message during the timeout. “You don’t have to say too much to this group. We have great leadership. Our leaders really did a lot of talking in that timeout, especially Mitch, but yeah, it sparked our guys.”

The Stingers fought back to get within six, but when the clocks stopped for Target Score Time, the Bandits led 112-101.

Vancouver ended the proceedings quickly, capped by a game-winning three-pointer from Duane Notice.

“We couldn’t stop them enough to win a basketball game. That’s about it. Can’t give up 121,” Stingers head coach Jordan Baker said.

Vancouver entered Friday’s game leading the league with 95 points per game — then ensured that number would rise with its franchise-record performance.

The Bandits’ previous single-game scoring record was 113, set in July 2020. And they were also one point away from matching the CEBL’s Target Time Era scoring record, set at 122 by the Ottawa BlackJacks last season.

Meanwhile, the combined total of 227 points set a league record for the Target Time Era, which began in 2020. It was just the second time ever that both teams have reached the century mark in scoring.

Vancouver’s offence came in all fashions – it made 10 three-pointers, 21 free throws and connected on 66 per cent of its two-point attempts.

Creek led the way with a whopping 35 points to go with nine rebounds. He credited the coaching staff for juicing the offence.

“I thought some of the plays that we had put in got us some really easy, cheap buckets and that’s what basketball’s about. It’s trying to play chess a few moves ahead, 10 moves ahead, and the other coaches try to do the same thing. I just thought that we were a few moves ahead tonight,” Creek said.

Including Creek, all five Bandits starters scored in double figures during a game in which the team depth was tested amid injuries and overseas exits.

Guard Zach Copeland contributed 27 points and seven rebounds, Tyrese Samuel had 17 points and nine rebounds in just 20 minutes before he was ejected for a second technical, Kyle Mangas scored 16 points and Shamar Givance pitched in with 12.

“I just think there was high-level buy-in. Everybody really bought in. And when everybody buys in and nobody cares who shoots it or who scores, those kinds of nights occur,” Julius said.

The Stingers, meanwhile, are now playing for second place and the right to host the West play-in game.

Despite a mid-season turnaround, and even while enjoying a strong offensive night themselves, the Bandits are still proving to be a thorn in their side.

“Our urgency and our mental transition wasn’t where it needed to be and they started to get comfortable and get hot and they didn’t have to execute a whole lot. It was basically come down and get layup,” Baker said.

Keon Ambrose-Hylton and Sean East II led the way with 19 points apiece, while Nick Hornsby neared a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds to go with seven assists.

Guard Scottie Lindsey also had 18 points in the losing effort, while Chris Smith added 13 off the bench.

Lindsey called the loss a missed opportunity.

“We did it to ourselves. They’re obviously a good team, but I think this game was more us beating ourselves, turning the ball over, not being where we’re supposed to be,” he said.

Vancouver ended the first quarter on a 7-0 run to go up 31-25 after 10 minutes. A high-scoring first half ended with the Bandits leading 60-57.

Then, the Bandits went on that riveting third-quarter run, and led 97-81 before the final frame had even begun. The Stingers threatened in the fourth, but the Bandits shut them down yet again.

It was yet another reminder, with playoffs just a couple weeks away, that Vancouver rules the West.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600652

Roster Update: Friday, August 1 at Edmonton

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 21:23:31 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster update in advance of its Friday, August 1 away game against the Edmonton Stingers at 6:00 p.m. PT:

F Majok Gum and F Grant Shephard have been removed from the Inactive List and added to the Club's active roster. Both players will be available for tonight's game. Gum will wear jersey number 7.

G Izaiah Brockington, G Corey Davis Jr., G David Mutabazi and G Tristan Jass remain on the Club's Suspended List.

Corey Davis Jr. and Izaiah Brockington Depart Bandits for Overseas Opportunities

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 21:44:47 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced that guards Corey Davis Jr. and Izaiah Brockington have transitioned to their next professional opportunities overseas ahead of the 2025-26 season. Due to reporting timelines set by their international clubs, both players are required to depart earlier than anticipated.

Davis Jr. signed with Niners Chemnitz of Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga on July 3 . The 6-foot-1 guard suited up in 12 games for the Bandits, including 11 starts, and departs the club with averages of 14.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists. His 3.7 three pointers made per game ranked him first among all CEBL players this season.

Brockington will be taking his talents to the New Zealand Breakers , who compete in Australia’s National Basketball League. The 6-foot-4 guard appeared and started in the first eight games of the 2025 CEBL season, averaging 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists, before joining the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2025 NBA Summer League.

Davis Jr. and Brockington have been placed on the Bandits’ Suspended List for the remainder of the 2025 CEBL season, while also retaining their CEBL rights. The CEBL remains a premier destination for elite talent to develop and advance their careers.

While both players expressed a strong desire to finish the CEBL season, the Bandits fully support the continued growth in their careers. The Bandits thank Corey and Izaiah for their contributions to the club this season and wish them continued success.

David Mutabazi called up to Rwanda's men's national team for 2025 FIBA AfroBasket

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:48:33 GMT

Vancouver Bandits guard David Mutabazi has been called up to Rwanda’s men’s national team for the upcoming 2025 FIBA AfroBasket tournament.

The 6-foot-5 guard and current student-athlete with Trinity Western University was selected 30th overall by the Bandits in the 2025 CEBL Draft. As a Development Player, Mutabazi appeared in nine games during the 2025 season, including three starts, averaging 1.4 points, 0.9 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 11.6 minutes played.

The team will begin group play on Wednesday, August 13 against Ivory Coast, with tip-off set for 8 a.m. PT. Rwanda will then take on DR Congo on August 15, and Cape Verde on August 17. The knockout stage begins on August 18 and the final is set for August 24. Games will be played in Mocamedes and Luanda, Angola

Born in Kirinda, Rwanda before moving to Canada at a young age, this marks Mutabazi’s first-ever international call up.

Mutabazi will be placed on the Bandits’ Suspended List for the remainder of the 2025 season, in order for him to participate at AfroBasket while also retaining his CEBL rights.

Tristan Jass to host $10,000 Half-court Shootout at Final Bandits Home Game

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 20:15:14 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits are set to close out the 2025 CEBL regular season with a bang.

As part of Fan Appreciation Night on Sunday, August 3rd, Bandits guard and social media sensation Tristan Jass returns to Langley Events Centre for the Tristan Jass $10,000 Halfcourt Shootout . Four lucky fans in attendance will be randomly selected to participate in the competition at halftime against Jass. The last shooter standing takes home $10,000.

Event Format:

Four fans are drawn from the crowd in the first half.
At halftime, each fan takes a shot from halfcourt, followed by Tristan Jass to end the round.
If no one scores, they go again.
If one person hits, they win the cash.
If multiple fans hit, only those who made it advance to the next round.
Repeat until one winner remains.

Entry Rules:

Must be in attendance and hold a valid ticket.
If your seat is drawn, you can shoot or nominate someone from your ticket group.
All participants must sign a media release waiver before participating.

The Bandits, who clinched a playoff berth on July 13 , host the Winnipeg Sea Bears in a tight race for playoff positioning. Fans can expect a sellout crowd with post-season implications on the line, marking one of the most crucial matchups of the season.

The Tristan Jass $10,000 Halfcourt Shootout is one of the many additions to what is shaping up to be the Bandits’ most electric night of the year. Pre-game activities begin with the Bandits Backyard BBQ starting at 3 p.m. outside Langley Events Centre , featuring $1 hot dogs, live music, an inflatable kids play area, a sign making station and a beer garden for fans 19 and over. Tip-off takes place at 5 p.m. and single game tickets are available for purchase by following this link .

Jass, who appeared in two preseason games for the Bandits on May 8 and 10 respectively, has been placed on the Bandits’ Suspended List since July 1, 2025 as a result of the CEBL’s Import player limitations, restricting clubs to a maximum of four Import (non-Canadian) players on an Active Roster at a time. His “ YouTuber to Pro Hooper ” web series, documenting his day-to-day experience playing with the club, has garnered over 1.2 million views on YouTube.

###

For Vancouver Bandits media inquiries, please contact:

Senior Manager, Brand & Communications, Justin Sulpico, media@thebandits.ca , 604-626-8513

About Vancouver Bandits
The Vancouver Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Bandits offer an entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

About the CEBL:

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ , TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Bandits Come Up Short in Back-and-forth Contest Against Calgary

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 00:16:16 GMT

A few friendly bounces at the rim made all the difference for the Calgary Surge in a tense battle against rival Vancouver on Friday night (July 25).

With the game on the line in Target Score Time at WinSport Events Centre, Calgary guard Evan Gilyard Jr. launched a deep three that rattled in after a few tense moments.

It was Gilyard’s first triple of the game, but it lifted the Surge past the Bandits 98-96.

The Surge have now swept the regular season series against the top-ranked Bandits, with both teams already locked into playoff spots in the Western Conference.

The intensity of Friday’s contest mimicked a postseason showdown. Calgary head coach Kaleb Canales said the group executed the game plan on both ends of the floor with togetherness and championship poise.

“We felt we had a great week of practice. We knew this was a heavyweight fight. We have a lot of respect for that team but I love our team and I love our squad and I love where we’re at,” Canales said.

Both teams saw the return of NBA Summer League talent, with Vancouver’s Tyrese Samuel and Calgary’s Jameer Nelson Jr. making an impact after their time in Las Vegas.

Nelson Jr. netted 21 points, including 15 in the first half, while tallying six rebounds, six assists and four steals.

“[Jameer] was playing both ends at an … elite level. We absolutely love him and he was making plays when it was time to make plays,” Canales said.

Sean Miller-Moore and Greg Brown III also had standout performances in the win. Miller-Moore dropped a game-high 27 points and hauled in eight rebounds, while Brown III notched a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Meanwhile, Samuel finished with a team-high 26 points for Vancouver on 12-15 shooting. He said he could’ve done better on the boards, but was happy with his return to the lineup overall.

“It feels good to be back out there with the guys. Obviously, today wasn't the result we wanted but we're just gonna go back to the drawing board and just be ready for the playoffs,” Samuel said.

Aussie big man Mitch Creek was also a force in the frontcourt with 25 points and 13 rebounds in the loss, while Kyle Mangas added 12 off the bench in his second game back from NBA Summer League.

After three consecutive games with at least 15 threes, the Bandits cooled down on Friday with eight from long range at a 29 per cent clip. Calgary also capitalized on 18 Vancouver turnovers with 25 points.

“Some turnovers and giving them some easy offensive rebounds I think was part of the problem for sure,” Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius said.

The range of talent for both squads was on full display in the early stages of the game. The Bandits and Surge each started hot before the pace slowed. A catch-and-shoot triple from Corey Davis Jr. gave the Bandits their first lead at 16-14, and they stayed ahead 25-22 after 10 minutes.

Vancouver extended its lead to nine in the second quarter following inside finishes from Creek, Zach Copeland, Samuel and a three from Davis Jr. However, Nelson Jr. willed the Surge back into the game with 11 points in the quarter. He showed off his complete game as well, stealing the rock on defence before dishing to Brown III in transition for a massive slam.

After trailing for the entire second quarter, Calgary tied it up heading into the locker room with a buzzer-beating putback from Javonté Brown.

Miller-Moore regained the lead for the Surge to kick off the third quarter with a transition dunk. Calgary locked in defensively for the remainder of the frame, limiting the high-powered Bandits' offence to just 18 points.

Brown III added to his highlight reel late in the quarter, spinning for a left-handed dunk on Kur Jongkuch that put him on the free throw line as well.

Down four points entering the final quarter, Creek and Samuel went to work inside for Vancouver. The frontcourt duo combined for 17 points before Target Score Time to knot the game at 87, but Brown III finished a putback to give Calgary a two-point advantage heading into the final stretch.

The bigs continued to duel in Target Score Time, with Samuel opening the scoring before Brown III showed his versatility, connecting on back-to-back threes and rejecting Creek on the other end.

Calgary missed multiple shots for the win, and Samuel added another layup before fouling out. A putback from Creek vaulted Vancouver back in front at 96-95, putting both teams a bucket away from victory.

On the following possession, Gilyard did his best Kawhi Leonard impression to win the game with a deep three that needed multiple bounces before dropping.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600650

Full Game Highlights | Bandits at Calgary (07/25/2025)

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 05:24:22 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on July 25, 2025.

Roster Update: Friday, July 25 at Calgary

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 21:17:24 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster update in advance of its Friday, July 25 away game against the Calgary Surge at 7:00 p.m. PT:

F Tyrese Samuel has been removed from the Suspended List and added to the Club's active roster; he will be available for tonight's game.

G Izaiah Brockington and G Tristan Jass remain on the Club's Suspended List.

Kal Tire Expands Partnership to Become Presenting Partner of CEBL's Western Conference

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:23:12 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday the extension of Kal Tire’s national partnership through the 2027 season, which will see the Official Tire Expert of the CEBL expand its rights to become the presenting partner of the league’s Western Conference and Western Conference Playoffs.

The expansion of Kal Tire’s partnership with the CEBL reinforces one of Canada’s largest independent tire retailer’s support of Canadian basketball and further ingrains its commitment to the CEBL’s five Western Conference teams. As part of this landmark partnership, Kal Tire and its 197 locations in Western Canada will support the upcoming Western Conference Playoffs through an enhanced fan experience and brand campaign.

“Kal Tire is an incredible partner of the CEBL, and we’re proud to see their commitment grow with the presenting rights to our Western Conference,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “Their ongoing support strengthens our connection and fuels the passion of basketball fans across Canada, especially those cheering on our Western teams.”

“We’re thrilled to deepen our partnership with the CEBL as the presenting partner of the Western Conference,” said Jamie Shillingford, Kal Tire’s Marketing Manager, Stores. “Basketball is growing rapidly across Canada, and this partnership allows us to connect with fans in a meaningful way — especially in the communities where our team members live and work. We’re proud to support a league that champions Canadian talent and brings such incredible energy to the court and communities.”

Fans can catch the remainder of the CEBL’s 2025 regular season and the race for playoff positioning in the Western Conference presented by Kal Tire, live in Canada on TSN, CEBL+, and TSN+, and in the United States on NLSE.

The Western Conference Playoffs presented by Kal Tire begin Thursday, August 14, with the Play-In Game, followed by the Semifinal on Saturday, August 16, where the second-place team will host the Play-In winner. The 2025 CEBL Playoffs will culminate at Championship Weekend (CW25), hosted in Winnipeg from August 22–24.

For ticket information for all CEBL games, visit cebl.ca/tickets and cebl.ca/cw25/tickets .

Vancouver Bandits and Curtis Hollis Mutually Agree to Part Ways

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 22:59:12 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced that the club has mutually agreed to release G Curtis Hollis.

A 6-foot-6 guard from Hutchinson College, Hollis joined the Bandits for the 2025 CEBL season while recovering from a lower body injury sustained playing overseas. This transaction will allow Hollis to fully recover for the upcoming 2025-26 overseas basketball season. The Bandits wish Hollis all the best in his recovery and future basketball endeavours.

Hollis suited up in 14 games for the Bandits during the 2025 CEBL season, including three starts, and averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He made his league debut during the 2024 season, appearing in 20 career CEBL games for both the Bandits and Montreal Alliance.

Vancouver’s next game is Friday, July 25 on the road against the Calgary Surge. The Bandits return home to host the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Sunday, August 3. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT. at Langley Events Centre. Single game tickets are available at this link .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Edmonton Stingers (07/20/2025)

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 02:37:29 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Edmonton Stingers on July 20th, 2025.

Roster Update: Sunday, July 20 vs. Edmonton

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 22:13:32 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster update in advance of its Sunday, July 20 home game against the Edmonton Stingers at 5:00 p.m. PT:

G Kyle Mangas has been removed from the Suspended List and added to the Club's active roster; he will be available for tonight's game.

Bandits Extend Win Streak In Front of Sellout Crowd

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 19:10:45 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits downed the Edmonton Stingers 111-99 in a battle between two of the CEBL’s hottest teams at Langley Events Centre on Sunday (July 20).

Vancouver snapped Edmonton’s seven-game win streak and extended its own to four games with the victory.

Scorching hot three-point shooting continued to make the difference for the Bandits. The home team connected on 17 threes in the win, their third consecutive game hitting at least 15.

Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius attributed the strong stretch of shooting to the team’s ability to generate open looks.

“We've been really moving the ball well – really unselfish. The guys have confidence in each other,” Julius said.

The ball movement yielded 29 assists on Vancouver’s 40 field goals on Sunday.

Duane Notice led the charge for Vancouver with 23 points in the win. With varying minutes throughout the season, Notice made the most of his opportunities in the past several games.

“I always try to stay ready. I mean it's cliché, but it's the truth. There's games where I don't play, there's games where I play the whole game, [and] there's games where I play spot minutes,” Notice said. “So I just try to approach the game with the same mentality every time, which is ‘How can I impact the game and winning on both ends of the court?’”

Bandits guard Corey Davis Jr. contributed 20 points and eight assists to the effort, while Mitch Creek returned to the lineup with 19 points.

Edmonton head coach Jordan Baker said the loss is a good wake-up call heading into the final six games.

“The details matter and we've got to play four quarters of basketball,” Baker said.

Stingers’ guard Sean East II was held in check for the bulk of the contest but finished strong with 10 points in Target Score Time, ending the night with 20. Scottie Lindsey and Nick Hornsby each added 19 points for the Stingers as well.

Hornsby said the Stingers just have to move on to their next matchup against Winnipeg.

“We did try to execute what we needed to execute. And it’s just part of basketball – you're not going to win every game. You're not going to win 100 in a row. We're blessed to be able to win seven,” Hornsby said.

Meanwhile, Keon Ambrose-Hylton made history for the Stingers in the loss. The big man broke his coach’s franchise record for rebounds in a single game with 18 on the night.

“It's great for him – he did a great job for us on both ends, cleaning the glass. [Vancouver] only having four offensive rebounds is a testament to what he was doing down there. But yeah, I mean, small consolation,” Baker said.

Both offences were operating efficiently to start the game. After knocking down 17 threes on Friday, the Bandits carried over the hot shooting into Sunday. Davis Jr. and Notice both buried a pair of triples to earn an early lead for Vancouver.

Davis Jr. kept hitting shots from beyond the arc to begin the second quarter, helping to extend the lead to as high as 15. However, the Stingers gained some momentum with a 6-0 run to close the half, cutting the deficit to nine points after 20 minutes.

Vancouver didn’t cool down from long range in the third quarter. After Hornsby hit from deep to start the frame, the Bandits went on a 14-2 run to force a Baker timeout, highlighted by a Notice triple from almost half court.

Lindsey and Hornsby kept the Stingers offence afloat during the quarter, but the Bandits still entered the fourth with an 84-69 advantage.

Returning from NBA Summer League, Kyle Mangas joined the three-point frenzy early in the fourth before Creek and Sam Maillet connected with another pair to head into Target Score Time with a 101-82 lead.

Edmonton kept fighting with a 9-1 run to begin Target Score Time, prompting a Julius timeout. However, Creek helped to close out the game with a long two from the wing and a transition layup to win it.

The Stingers and Bandits meet again on Aug. 1 at Edmonton Expo Centre.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600661

Long-Range Shooting Lifts Bandits Past Rattlers

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 05:53:15 GMT

Red-hot three-point shooting propelled the Vancouver Bandits to their third straight win on Friday (July 18).

The Bandits connected on 17 trifectas on their way to a 100-79 win at Langley Events Centre that eliminated the Saskatchewan Rattlers from playoff contention.

Edmonton fans can also celebrate Vancouver’s win as it clinches a playoff berth for the Stingers.

The backcourt duo of Zach Copeland and Corey Davis Jr. carried the offensive load for the Bandits on Friday with Mitch Creek out of the lineup.

Copeland netted a game-high 26 points, while Davis Jr. notched a double-double with 25 points, 12 assists and seven threes. Clutch contributions also came from Duane Notice with 13 points, including the game winner.

Davis Jr.'s 12 assists pushed him past the 200 mark for his CEBL regular season career. On Tuesday, his single season assist record was broken by Saskatchewan guard Nate Pierre-Louis.

“[Pierre-Louis] is a great basketball player and he does it the right way. So it's kudos to him. I'm pretty sure if I was here the whole season, I'd probably still be holding on to that. I feel a way about it but nonetheless,” Davis Jr. said.

Unselfish basketball pushed the Bandits to the convincing win. Of Vancouver’s 35 field goals, 29 were assisted.

The Bandits bounced back from 11 first-half turnovers and seven offensive rebounds allowed to take control in the second.

“We've just been moving the ball really well. Our assists have been high, our three-point makes and percentage has been high and it's actually been fun to watch to be honest,” Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius said.

For Saskatchewan, head coach Eric Magdanz said the team will continue to battle despite its elimination from the playoffs.

“Our team has been nothing but competitive this whole year,” he said. “They're a great group of pros and a big thing we've talked about right from the start is saying this isn't the end of the road for any of us. We're all trying to see what's next and advance [our] career.”

Recent additions Alex Garcia and Tevian Jones were bright spots for the Rattlers in the loss. With Pierre-Louis out, Garcia stepped up with 25 points in just his third professional game and Jones tallied 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

“I've had some of the best [coaching] I feel like in the world, and that's really prepared me to play at this level,” Garcia said. “I put in the skill work but more than anything if … you're under skilled, you can play with better competition if you have the mind for it.”

The Bandits opened the game strong, but the Rattlers responded quickly. A balanced attack, highlighted by a pair of and-ones from Garcia and Isaac Simon, helped Saskatchewan gain the lead and maintain it throughout the first quarter.

Down just five to begin the second, Nick Ward settled in for Vancouver with back-to-back contact finishes inside. But the Bandits couldn’t gain ground, as Devonté Bandoo’s hot shooting pushed the Rattlers’ lead even further, forcing a Julius timeout.

An 11-3 run for Saskatchewan capped by a transition jam from Elijah Ifejeh prompted another timeout from Julius. Vancouver narrowed the gap to close the half, culminating in a buzzer-beating corner three from Notice to make it a two-point game heading into the locker room.

Copeland drove to the rack and finished through contact to knot the game at 45 to open the third. Kur Jongkuch added another layup on the following Bandits’ possession to seize the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter.

The trio of Copeland, James Karnik and Davis Jr. made major contributions in the third to give the Bandits a 73-65 lead.

Notice delivered another pair of clutch buckets in the fourth and the Bandits locked in defensively. Jongkuch rocked the rim with an alley-oop to cap a 17-10 run and carry a 15-point lead into the final stretch.

Vancouver made quick work of Target Score Time, with another alley-oop to Jongkuch, a triple from Davis Jr. and two buckets from Notice — including a contact layup to win it.

The Bandits handed the Rattlers a sweep in the season series, while winning their fourth straight at home as well.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600651

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Saskatchewan Rattlers (07/18/2025)

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 04:23:27 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Saskatchewan Rattlers on July 18th, 2025.

Five Vancouver Bandits Products Represented on NBA Summer League Rosters

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 23:50:27 GMT

Five players who are currently on the Vancouver Bandits roster or have previously played for the club are listed on rosters for the NBA 2K26 Las Vegas Summer League, currently going on until July 20, 2025.

The NBA 2K26 Las Vegas Summer League, featuring all 30 NBA teams, will be held July 10-20 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Pavilion on the UNLV campus. Every team will play at least five games. After each team completes four games, the top four teams will advance to a playoff round contested July 19-20. The remaining 26 teams will play a fifth game July 18-20.

Three members of the 2025 Bandits roster, as well as two players from the 2023 Bandits squad will be represented across five NBA Summer League clubs, respectively. All current Bandits players have been placed in on the club's Suspended List in order for them to participate in NBA Summer League play while also retaining their CEBL rights, with the option to return to the club at the conclusion of their commitments.

Canadian forward Tyrese Samuel will suit up for the Brooklyn Nets. Appearing and starting in 10 games this season, Samuel posting averages of 18.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists while also tying the Bandits single-game scoring record with 36 points on May 15, 2025.

The San Antonio Spurs will feature sharpshooting guard Kyle Mangas. Prior to departing the Bandits roster for Las Vegas, Mangas led the squad in three-pointers made (3.7) while also ranking third on the roster in points (17.8), rebounds (5.3) and assists (3.8) per game.

Rounding out the list of current Bandits at NBA Summer League is guard Izaiah Brockington, who will be joining the Los Angeles Clippers. In the first eight games of the 2025 CEBL season, Brockington averaged 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists while also finishing in double-digit scoring on four occasions.

A member of the 2023 Bandits roster, DJ Steward is a member of the Los Angeles Lakers Summer League Team. Appearing in the first two games of the 2023 CEBL season, he recorded a 30 point, seven assist, four rebound performance in his CEBL debut on May 27, 2023.

MJ Walker, who suited up in nine games for the Bandits in 2023, joins the Charlotte Hornets for this year's Summer League campaign.

Bandits Clinch Playoff Spot With Emphatic Win Over Alliance

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 23:42:00 GMT

It wasn’t always easy, but the Vancouver Bandits triumphed over the Montreal Alliance 94-87 to become the first team to punch their ticket to the 2025 CEBL playoffs.

Vancouver got up to as much as a 19-point lead early in the third quarter and looked well on their way to securing the victory. Unfortunately for them, Montreal wasn’t willing to go down that easy and came roaring back to make it anyone’s game heading into Target Time.

The Bandits were led by Zach Copeland, who set a franchise record with eight made three-pointers, breaking his own previous record of seven. He finished with 36 points on the night – tying teammates Mitch Creek and Tyrese Samuel for the franchise record.

Corey Davis Jr. had 14 points and 10 assists for his fourth double-double in the last five games, Mikyle McIntosh had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Duane Notice notched 12 points in the win.

“I’ve just been locked in these past few games,” Copeland said from the sidelines following the game. “One of our main players in Mitch (Creek) was down today, so everyone had to step up and that’s just what I was trying to do.”

“Very important,” he said about his team securing a spot in the post-season. “We want to establish homecourt advantage for the playoffs, so we just wanted to come in here and give it our all. It’s been a tough road trip, three games in four days. So, we were just trying to finish strong.”

Things got off to a fiery start as the teams combined to hit 19 of 29 shots in the first quarter, including the Bandits making their first eight from the field. Three-point shooting was pivotal to Vancouver’s early success, as they hit their first five from beyond the arc and six total in the quarter.

The second quarter saw a shift in momentum as the Alliance slowed the pace and let their defense take over, holding the Bandits to just 5 of 19 shooting in the period. Unfortunately for the home squad, three-pointers and second-chance points — an area in which the Bandits held a 13–0 advantage at the half — dictated the game and allowed the visitors to carry a 48–41 lead into the break.

Coming into the second half, the Bandits looked to put the game away early by starting on a 16-4 run. After a pair of timeouts, the Alliance were able to chip away at the seemingly insurmountable lead by going on a 12-0 run of their own and cut the deficit down to single digits.

“I think the biggest thing for us is just putting 40 minutes together,” Abdul Mohamed said of his team’s performance on the season. “There are times where we put two quarters, three quarters together, but putting together the full 40 is important in this league because any team can go on a massive run, just like you saw from us. Just putting 40 minutes together is big.”

Mohamed had 16 points – all of them coming in the second half – to go along with four rebounds. Kevin Osawe led the team with 17 points and added five rebounds, Tavian Dunn Martin had 13 points and eight assists, O.D Anosike had 11 points and eight rebounds, while Shamiel Stevenson added 10 points for the Alliance.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself to help the team in any way,” Mohamed said. “The organization, the coaches and the ownership all look at me as a player that needs to contribute, so there’s immense pressure and I take it with full responsibility. Whatever the team needs, whether it’s defense or making shots – anything, I’m willing to do it.”

Montreal was able to cut the lead down to 85-80 heading into Target Time and even tied the game at 87-87 to give themselves a chance to win. Put a 7-0 run by the Bandits – capped by Copeland’s record setting three-pointer and a subsequent free throw – dashed the hopes of the home crowd.

The loss dropped the Alliance to 6-8 on the season with just two wins in their last ten games. It was the second straight win for the now 13-4 Bandits, who extend their lead at the top of the standings.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600640

Bandits Stun Honey Badgers in Thrilling Target Score Comeback

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 04:05:43 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits proved on Friday that it’s not about how you start a game, just how you finish it.

Despite trailing for a majority of the game, and by eight points at the start of Target Score Time, the Bandits walked away with an 89-85 victory over the Brampton Honey Badgers on Friday thanks to a 19-7 run once the clock stopped.

Leading Vancouver’s effort as they improved to 12-4, extending their lead atop the West to 1.5 games, was Zach Copeland, who finished with a team-high 27 points and a franchise-record tying seven made triples. Behind him were Corey Davis Jr. (18 points, 10 assists) and Kur Jongkuch (13 points, season-high 17 rebounds) with a pair of double-doubles, while Mikyle McIntosh chipped in with 18 points and seven rebounds.

The quartet helped the Bandits overcome the fact that they were missing all three of their leading scorers on the season — Mitch Creek (23.1 points per game), Tyrese Samuel (18.9) and Kyle Mangas (17.8).

“We were working hard to adapt to our roster,” Vancouver head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said after the win. “We’ve had some changes and some new faces, so we just wanted to be able to settle in … and I thought we did a good job of that.”

Meanwhile, the Honey Badgers fell to 4-12 on the season after a fourth consecutive loss, still in last place out East. Spearheading Brampton on Friday was Quinndary Weatherspoon, who put up a game-high 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Rounding out the Honey Badgers’ double-digit scoring efforts were David Muenkat and Marcus Carr with 17 and 13 points, respectively.

“It was a tough loss,” Weatherspoon said post-game. “I thought we played well throughout the whole game, but just the last couple of possessions … some things got away.”

Despite both squads entering the matchup on the heels of double-digit losses, their last time squaring off less than a week earlier — an 87-84 down-to-the-wire win for the Bandits — led to the belief that Friday’s contest would also be a neck-and-neck battle.

Which turned out to be true for much of the ball game, as neither squad carved out a double-digit lead for the entirety of the contest and were separated by a narrow 63-62 Bandits edge headed into the fourth quarter.

The final frame proved to be the ultimate difference maker, but it, too, wasn’t without back-and-forth action.

Brampton appeared to capture the momentum thanks to an 11-0 run in the early minutes of the fourth, sparked by three consecutive triples. The Honey Badgers finished with 12 made threes on a 38 per cent clip, five of those long balls coming in the fourth.

And although Brampton led 78-70 at the start of Target Score Time thanks to that run to open the fourth, Vancouver stormed right back thanks to a defensive clinic.

The Honey Badgers punched first with back-to-back threes by Carr and Weatherspoon to put themselves on the cusp of victory but were held to just one point after that point as they missed their next six field goal attempts while the Bandits rallied.

Vancouver shot 7-of-12 in Target Score Time, capping off the comeback effort with a Davis triple from the right corner.

“Crazy, hard-fought game,” Copeland said after the win. “I just felt like we stuck it out to the end and made a lot of high-level plays to pull it out.”

Underscoring the Bandits' comeback effort was their effort on the glass, building a 50-36 rebounding edge throughout the night, leading to 15 second-chance points (plus-10).

“We have to end possessions,” Honey Badgers head coach Sheldon Cassimy said post-game. “If we don’t give up 19 offensive rebounds, then we win the game by way more.”

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600634

Up next

Both squads return Sunday, starting with the Honey Badgers visiting the Scarborough Shooting Stars for the second of three regular-season matchups between the GTA rivals. Meanwhile, the Bandits visit the Montreal Alliance to wrap up a three-game road trip before heading back to Vancouver.

Bandits Drop Road Trip Opener Against River Lions

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 01:58:04 GMT

It was a battle worthy of a championship rematch. And perhaps, even, a championship preview.

In the end, the Niagara River Lions left no doubt they are coming for the CEBL crown once again.

The River Lions beat the Vancouver Bandits 96-77 on Thursday at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ont., in a contest pitting the top team in each of the Eastern and Western Conferences.

Both squads entered on winning streaks — but only Niagara’s continued as the Rivers Lions earned their third straight victory and improved to 10-5 on the season.

“We just haven't played to our potential yet, and we're starting to now,” River Lions head coach Victor Raso said. “I mean, we defended with serious intensity. We took quality shots. We were on the same page. We won a rebounding battle. We had 25 assists and eight turnovers. Like, that was the best we’ve played.”

Vancouver, meanwhile, saw its three-game run end to fall to 11-4.

A closely contested game was blown open by Niagara in the third quarter with an 18-5 run to start the frame, pushing its lead to a game-high 14 points.

Vancouver never got particularly close again. When Target Score Time rolled around, Niagara led by a massive 23-point margin at 87-64.

The game ground to a bit of a halt with the clock off as a series of unsportsmanlike and technical fouls — plus ensuing reviews — lengthened what was essentially a done deal.

After the final review, Niagara’s Eddie Ekiyor finally iced the game with a pair of free throws.

“It was a battle, but our identity's effort and just trying hard. We got a lot of skilled guys, and we just worked as a team, right? We were very upset about our first loss with them. … So it's just that togetherness and we're proud of the outcome,” River Lions forward Elijah Lufile said.

Niagara beat Vancouver 97-95 in the CEBL Finals last year for the franchise’s first-ever title.

However, the Bandits got a measure of revenge early in the season with a 37-point blowout win in the rematch. In that game, the Bandits enjoyed a near-full roster while Finals MVP Khalil Ahmad, among others, was out for the River Lions.

On Thursday, the roles were reversed. With Niagara boasting its top roster, Vancouver was without second-leading scorer Tyrese Samuel and sharpshooter Kyle Mangas, who are both competing at NBA Summer League.

Still, the River Lions made sure they wouldn’t blow the opportunity against a short-handed Bandits team.

“It's taken a long time for us to play really good basketball, and it's just the beginning of what we're capable of. I've been saying that this team's got a lot of potential to play well, and I think we saw tonight what it can look like when we're completely dialled in,” Raso said.

It was a team effort for Niagara, who got contributions from up and down the lineup.

Curry, in his third game back with Niagara, paced the River Lions with 20 points to go with seven assists and four rebounds.

Ekiyor had 16 points and seven rebounds, while Lufile neared a double-double off the bench with eight points and 10 rebounds.

Kimbal Mackenzie added 17 points and six rebounds. Leading scorer Khalil Ahmad has 13 points on five-for-nine shooting.

“I think it was just a collective effort on the bench because you got all the guys on the bench clapping, just cheering the guys on the court, whether they make or miss a shot on defence,” Lufile said. “So I had that energy from the get-go. I knew exactly what my assignment was. So coming into the game, it was just a no-brainer.”

Meanwhile, the Bandits struggled to get going offensively in their first game without the Canadian Samuel.

Potential MVP candidate Mitch Creek struggled to the tune of 13 points on five-for-18 shooting, adding five rebounds and three assists.

Zach Copeland led the way for Vancouver with 15 points despite making just two of 10 three-point attempts, and Corey Davis Jr., posted 14 points and six assists before being ejected in Target Score Time thanks to a pair of technical fouls.

“Got a little out of control,” Copeland said. “We tried to scrap it out, grind it out, trying to make comeback, but it's tough team, so we couldn't pull it out.”

Vancouver will now be back on the court in less than 24 hours as an Ontario road trip continues in Brampton on Friday before a trip to Scarborough on Sunday.

Copeland said the team’s ball movement must improve in order to get the offence humming again.

“I felt like it was kind of stagnant. They played good defence. They were in the gaps, but we got to drive the ball and get kickouts,” he said.

In the first quarter, Niagara used a frame-ending 8-0 run to lead 20-17 after 10 minutes.

Vancouver replied with a 12-0 run in the middle of the second as the teams traded blows, but the River Lions held a 40-39 advantage at halftime.

In the third quarter, the River Lions widened the gap with an 18-5 start to the quarter. They led 67-56 after 30 minutes, and did not look back from there.

Niagara and Vancouver will not see each other again in the regular season as they look to pave their paths to and through the playoffs.

But, off course, a date in the Finals could still await.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600627

Roster Update: Thursday, July 10 at Niagara

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 20:15:20 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster updates in advance of its Thursday, July 10 road game against the Niagara River Lions at 4:00 p.m. PT:

F James Karnik and G Curtis Hollis have been placed to the Club's active roster and will be available for tonight's game.

G Izaiah Brockington, G Kyle Mangas, F Tyrese Samuel and G Tristan Jass remain on the Club's Suspended List.

Players can be placed on a CEBL team's Suspended List due to roster limitations, NBA Summer League commitments or other external factors. Players are able to maintain their club's rights throughout the season and can be reactivated and return to the club at a later date.

Bandits Guard Izaiah Brockington Signs With Los Angeles Clippers for 2025 NBA Summer League

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 02:29:01 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Monday that guard Izaiah Brockington has signed an NBA Summer League contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The news was announced by the Clippers on social media and the club’s website in a release . Brockington was a member of the Clippers’ organization prior to joining the Bandits, dressing in 11 games for the club’s NBA G League affiliate, San Diego Clippers, during the 2024-25 season.

A 6-foot-4 guard from Philadelphia, PA, Brockington served as a high-impact Import player appearing and starting in the first eight games of the 2025 CEBL season, averaging 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists and finishing in double-digit scoring on four occasions.

Brockington will be joined by 2025 NBA Draft selections Konan Niederhauser (30th overall) and Kobe Sanders (50th overall) on the Clippers’ roster, who will begin NBA Summer League play on July 11 with scheduled games running until July 20.

Brockington has been on the Bandits' Suspended List since June 14, 2025 and will continue to listed in order for him to participate in NBA Summer League play while also retaining his CEBL rights, with the option to return to the club at the conclusion of his commitments.

Bandits Hold Off Honey Badgers for Third Straight Win

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 03:40:57 GMT

While the game was contested between two teams on either side of the standings, you never would have guessed it by what took place on the court.

The Vancouver Bandits and Brampton Honey Badgers traded power punches until the very end, but it was the home team that managed to come on late and take the 87-84 victory in front of their fans.

The Bandits struck first, getting off to a 12-4 lead before the visitors called a timeout. The Honey Badgers cam back strong, going on a 16-6 run out of the break to take a momentary lead before the Bandits were able to bring a 23-22 lead into the first break.

A big part of the Brampton comeback was thanks to Quinndary Weatherspoon. The former Golden State Warrior had 11 of his 22 first half points in the quarter, ensuring his team was able to stay in the game.

“We need these performances from (Weatherspoon),” teammate Amari Kelly said afterwards. “They’re big and they help keep us going. He’s a big factor for our team and kind of our leading guy, so we always want nights like this from him.”

Things kept rolling for Weatherspoon in the second quarter, as he and David Muenkat started the period off with back-to-back three-pointers to take a lead that their team would carry into halftime, leading 44-40 – with the former NBA champion accounting for half his team’s points.

In the second half, it was time for the Bandits’ star play to answer. Mitch Creek scored nine of his team’s first 15 points in the third quarter, and the team made three consecutive three-pointers to cap off a 12-2 run for a 61-56 lead. But the road team refused to go down quietly, rebounding with an 11-2 run off their own to go ahead leading into the final quarter. Weatherspoon was held to just three points in the third.

A 9-0 Honey Badgers run to start the fourth had them up by as many as 10, but a pair of Zach Copeland threes kickstarted a streak of 11 straight points for the team. The Honey Badgers led 78-77 at the start of Target Time, but another nine point run from the Bandits put things out of reach, and they eventually took the win off a Duane Notice free throw.

Vancouver was able to pick up the win despite missing a number of players as they attend NBA camps and participate in the NBA Summer League. Bandits head coach and general manager was proud of the way his team performed despite the roster turnover.

“We weren’t that composed today, but I think that’s part of the process,” he said post-game. “We’re in a messy time right now with personnel changes, and I’m really proud of the fact we were able to win a game missing some key pieces, and it was a messy game at that.”

“Our leadership; we have really good leadership,” he said when asked how the team was able to perform despite the personnel changes. “But there isn’t consistency. We had a completely different rotation today. Our sub pattern was wacky, and we found a way to win at the end. We have to find a way to grind through this time until our main pieces get back.”

Mitch Creek led the game with 30 points, including 15 in the pivotal third quarter. Zach Copeland had 20 point, while Corey Davis Jr. had 15 points to go along with 11 assists.

“They did a good job of making shots,” Honey Badgers head coach Sheldon Cassimy said of the opposition. “They made some tough shots that gave them a lead and then we were going through one of our droughts where we’re trying to execute, we’re looking for our mismatches or their rotations to break down. But they were solid in their rotations and we had a couple of turnovers.”

Quinndary Weatherspoon led his team with 27 points, though just five of them came in the second half. Amari Kelly carried the load of the offense in the final two quarters, where he scored 12 of his 16 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds for the game. Marcus Carr and Bryson Williams had strong performances off the bench, as both finished with 12 points.

“One of the things we’re struggling with is winning on the road,” Cassimy said. “Early on, we had a lot of games on the road, so that’s part of the reason for the struggle. We have to find a way to put together wins on the road. I think once we do that we’ll be fine.”

Brampton got off to a tough start on the season, boasting just a 1-7 record early on. The team had won three of their last five and were looking to continue their improved play against the top team in the CEBL. Despite coming out on the losing end, Cassimy was happy with his team’s performance and what it means for them going forward.

“Just being together, trusting each other, and being able to execute and cut down on our turnovers,” he said about what his team needs to continue to work on in the second half of the season. “In the first half we were good with our turnovers, but in the second half, not so great. Once we’re trusting each other and cutting down on turnovers, then I think we’ll be fine.”

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600624

Roster Update: Sunday July 6 vs. Brampton

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 21:31:26 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster updates in advance of its Sunday, July 6 game at home against the Brampton Honey Badgers s at 5:00 p.m. PT:

F Kur Jongkuch has been placed to the Club's active roster and will be available for tonight's game.

G Curtis Hollis (inactive list) is ruled out for today's game.

G Izaiah Brockington, G Kyle Mangas, F Tyrese Samuel, F James Karnik and G Tristan Jass remain on the Club's Suspended List.

Bandits Forward Tyrese Samuel Signs With Brooklyn Nets for 2025 NBA Summer League

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 16:37:06 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Saturday that forward Tyrese Samuel has signed an NBA Summer League contract with the Brooklyn Nets. The news was announced by the Nets on social media and the club’s website in a release .

A 6-foot-10 forward from Montreal, QC, Samuel played a key role for the Bandits during the first half of the 2025 CEBL season. He played and starting in 10 games, while posting averages of 18.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists. In his CEBL debut on May 15, 2025, Samuel set the Bandits single-game scoring record with 36 points, along with 12 rebounds and two assists. His all-around play has made him a strong midseason candidate for CEBL Canadian Player of the Year.

Samuel will be joined by 2025 NBA Draft first round selections Egor Dëmin (eighth pick), Nolan Traore (19th pick), Drake Powell (22nd pick - agreed in principle to acquire his draft rights from Atlanta in a trade that is expected to be finalized at a later date), Ben Saraf (26th pick) and Danny Wolf (27th pick) on the Nets’ roster, who will begin NBA Summer League play on July 10 with scheduled games running until July 20.

The Bandits have placed Samuel on its Suspended List in order for him to participate in NBA Summer League play while also retaining his CEBL rights. He will return to the club at the conclusion of his commitments.

Vancouver Bandits Re-Sign Canadian Forward Kur Jongkuch

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 17:55:33 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that the club has re-signed Canadian forward Kur Jongkuch for the remainder of the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

The 6-foot-9 forward is putting on a Bandits jersey for his third consecutive season. During the 2024 CEBL campaign, Jongkuch appeared in all 20 regular season games and two playoff games for the Bandits, including six starts.

Known for his high-energy and defensive prowess on the court, he holds the franchise’s single-game blocks total, pulling down 18 rebounds on July 28, 2024 at Montreal. He posted averages of 4.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 12.9 minutes of action per game last summer.

Prior to joining the Bandits this summer, Jongkuch most recently played for Slovenian club KK Illrija. He averaged 9.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27 games played and helped lead the club to a semifinal appearance in the Slovenian Basketball League playoffs. 2025 marks the fourth year of Jongkuch’s professional basketball career, which include previous stops in Denmark (Horsens IC) and Canada (London Lightning).

Originally from Juba, South Sudan before moving to London, Ont. with his family at a young age, Jongkuch played post-secondary basketball at the University of Northern Colorado for four seasons from 2018 to 2022. In his sophomore year with the Bears, he led the Big Sky Conference in field goal percentage. He then transferred to Temple University for his graduate year, where he suited up in 32 games for the Owls while completing a master’s degree in business innovation.

Internationally, Jongkuch represents Canada in FIBA competition. He was a member of the Canadian men’s U23 team in 2022, with whom he captured a bronze medal at that year’s GLOBL JAM invitational tournament.

Vancouver Bandits Outlast Shooting Stars in Back-and-Forth Thriller

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 04:30:52 GMT

Tie ball game, next basket wins — it doesn’t get better than that in the CEBL.

And who better to play hero than Zach Copeland, capping off his return to the lineup and team-high scoring night with a side-step triple to seal a 100-97 Vancouver Bandits victory over the Scarborough Shooting Stars on Tuesday.

“Just wanted a little space, that’s all I needed,” Copeland said post-game, reflecting on the game-winner. “I’ve done this before and I just wanted to come through again.”

With their second consecutive win, the Bandits improved to 10-3 and extended their lead atop the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Shooting Stars fell to 7-7 and remain in second place behind the Niagara River Lions in the East following a second straight road loss.

Copeland finished the game with 28 points and five made threes on a 41 per cent clip, all of which came after he had missed the team’s last 11 contests. Behind him was Bandits' captain Mitch Creek with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists, and Corey Davis Jr., who put up a double-double of 18 points and 12 assists while finishing a game-high plus-15 in the narrow victory.

“Easily one of the best point guards I’ve coached,” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said of Davis’ impact after the game. “Both sides of the ball, no one scores on him one-on-one … he plays with passion, toughness and the guys respect him.”

On the other side, Terquavion Smith also put up a team-high 28 points (on 11-of-17 shooting) to go with nine rebounds. Donovan Williams (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Kalif Young (10 points, 11 rebounds) did their part as well with double-double efforts. It was a milestone night for Young, as the big man passed Jordan Baker for the all-time regular season lead in rebounds (523).

Rounding out Scarborough’s efforts was Jaden Campbell, who added 17 points off the bench on 6-of-9 shooting.

“Our controllables needed to be better down the stretch,” Shooting Stars head coach Mike DeGiorgio said after the loss. “We have to go back to the drawing board … it’s a result-based business.”

Tuesday’s contest between the cross-conference opponents was the type of edge-of-your-seat intrigue that the CEBL built itself on when implementing the Target Score ending.

It was a game of runs that saw Vancouver lead by as many as 17 points in the first half, using a 13-5 run to open the ball game, and a perfect 3-for-3 start from Samuel, to do so.

But as the Montreal native, along with Davis, missed most of the second quarter as both dealt with foul trouble, Scarborough stormed back. Using a 12-4 run sparked by eight straight points from Smith, then a quarter-ending 6-0 charge that was capped off with a Jayden Coke transition slam.

It turned the double-digit deficit into a far more manageable 50-43 score in favour of the Bandits headed into halftime.

And the Shooting Stars kept that momentum coming out of the break, opening the second half on a 13-4 run to take their first lead of the ball game on a Smith transition layup. Creating that fastbreak opportunity was Cat Barber, who, while struggling to score (three points on 1-of-8 shooting), grabbed two steals to pass the 100 mark — just the third player in CEBL history to do so.

“We were all over the glass and it allowed us to hit first,” De Giorgio said when asked how his team took charge in the third, noting his team won the rebounding battle 49-40 on the night.

Scarborough wasn’t able to extend that lead to double digits, however, as Vancouver punched back to end the third, using an 8-0 run and hitting three triples in the final two minutes to bring its deficit down to 72-70 before the fourth quarter.

The Bandits then re-took the lead by starting the final frame on an 8-0 run, going up by as many as eight points in the fourth before holding onto a 90-89 lead headed into Target Score Time.

“You’re not going to win every night by 20 points,” Julis said. “We have to stay poised and execute, and we did a good job of that.”

And it was fitting that with the clocks stopped, it remained a back-and-forth affair, both teams trading baskets. Smith tied the ball game at 97 with a free throw, but missed the second intentionally with hopes of scoring a game-winner off it. Instead, he stepped out of bounds while trying to corral the loose ball.

All of which set up Copeland to bring the 4,408 in attendance at the Langley Events Centre to their feet with his fifth and final three of the game. The import scored six of Vancouver’s 10 points in Target Score Time.

Underscoring the Bandits' victory was a strong effort to win the turnover battle. They forced 21 turnovers off the Shooting Stars, who entered Tuesday averaging 14.9 per game. No player was bothered more by the pressure than Williams who accounted for nine of those turnovers. It resulted in a plus-six margin in points off turnovers that proved to be the difference.

“That’s what we do,” Copeland explained on winning the turnover margin. “We want to run off misses or makes, we’re trying to get out in transition … put pressure on the defence.”

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600629

Roster Update: Tuesday July 1 vs. Scarborough

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 20:34:50 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster updates in advance of its Tuesday, July 1 game at home against the Scarborough Shooting Stars at 5:00 p.m. PT:

G Kyle Mangas and G Tristan Jass have been placed on the Club's Suspended List.

G Zach Copeland and G Curtis Hollis have been moved to the Club's active roster and will be available for tonight's game.

F Nick Ward (rest) is ruled out for today's game.

Bandits Guard Kyle Mangas Signs With San Antonio Spurs for 2025 NBA Summer League

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:54:02 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that guard Kyle Mangas has signed an NBA Summer League contract with the San Antonio Spurs.

The news was announced by the Spurs on social media and the club’s website in a release . Mangas was a member of the Spurs’ organization prior to joining the Bandits, dressing in 10 games for the club’s NBA G League affiliate, Austin Spurs, during the 2024-25 season.

Mangas was an integral member for the Bandits during the first half of the 2025 CEBL season, appearing in and starting in 10 games. Establishing himself as sharpshooter and all-around player, he leads the Bandits in three-pointers made (3.7) while also ranking third on the roster in points (17.8), rebounds (5.3) and assists (3.8) per game.

Mangas will be joined by 2025 NBA Draft selections Dylan Harper (2nd overall) and Carter Bryant (14th overall) on the Spurs’ roster, who will begin NBA Summer League play on July 5 with scheduled games running through July 17.

The Bandits have placed Mangas on its Suspended List in order for him to participate in NBA Summer League play while also retaining his CEBL rights, with the option to return to the club at the conclusion of his commitments.

Vancouver Bandits Announce Multi-Year Commitment to Terry Fox Foundation Supporting Cancer Research, Will Wear Terry Fox Tribute Jerseys on Canada Day

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:52:20 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits are proud to announce a three-year commitment to the Terry Fox Foundation, supporting cancer research across Canada.

The commitment includes the continuation of the club wearing its special edition Terry Fox tribute jersey, which will be worn during its upcoming Canada Day match-up versus the Scarborough Shooting Stars, which tips off at 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET) on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Langley Events Centre. Tickets for the game are available for purchase and the game will be nationally televised on TSN.

The special edition tribute jersey, which features iconic imagery of Terry Fox and celebrates the legacy of his Marathon of Hope, was launched in 2024. Proceeds from each jersey sold were donated to the Terry Fox Foundation in support of cancer research across Canada and public response was overwhelmingly positive.

“Terry Fox is a national hero whose legacy continues to inspire generations. As a team rooted in community, we are honoured to partner with the Terry Fox Foundation over the next three years to carry forward Terry’s message of courage, hope, and determination, “ said Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits team president. “The special edition jersey pays tribute to Terry’s vision and a symbol of the strength we all strive to embody, on and off the court.”

The jersey is available in both adult and youth sizes online at this link . A limited selection of replica jerseys will be available for sale at the Bandits’ Canada Day match-up, which is dedicated in Terry’s honour.

Each replica version jersey available for fans to purchase features the no. 4, which was the number worn by Terry during his season as a member of Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) junior varsity basketball team in 1977. Despite an eventual cancer diagnosis that required his right leg to be amputated, as well as chemotherapy and surgery, Fox continued to excel in sports. He joined Rick Hansen as a member of his wheelchair basketball team and eventually won three national titles with the team before embarking on his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980.

Inscribed on the front and back of the special edition jersey are the names of all the cities, parks, and towns where Terry started and ended his daily run during his tremendous journey from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Thunder Bay, Ontario. Fox’s goal was to run from Canada’s east coast in Newfoundland to its west coast in Victoria, British Columbia, raising awareness and funds for cancer research.

Terry’s Marathon of Hope spanned 143 days and 5,373 kilometres before he fell too ill to continue. He ran an average of 26 miles daily – equivalent to the distance of running a marathon each day of his mission across Canada. Fox’s running route spanning Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario is etched on the jersey. Today, his legacy lives through various fundraising initiatives and the annual Terry Fox Run across the country and beyond.

The jersey features a black, red, and white colour scheme, as well as colour blocked side panelling inspired by the patterning of Terry’s 1970s jersey worn at SFU. His no. 4 jersey has since been retired by the university as well as the high school he attended.

The Bandits are one of 10 men’s professional basketball teams that annually compete in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The Bandits are midway through the club’s sixth CEBL season. The club’s home venue of Langley Events Centre is located just a 20-minute drive from Terry’s high school alma mater, Port Coquitlam Senior Secondary School, which was later renamed as “Terry Fox Secondary School.”

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Second-Half Rally Lifts Bandits Past Rattlers in Front of Sold Out Crowd

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 06:23:14 GMT

Sometimes it’s not about how you start, just how you finish.

The Vancouver Bandits (9-3) proved as much with their 97-85 come-from-behind victory over the Saskatchewan Rattlers (3-10) on Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre.

Vancouver won the second half by 22 points (52-30), turning what was a 10-point halftime deficit into a 12-point win that not only extended their lead atop the Western Conference but also snapped a two-game skid.

Tyrese Samuel led that effort for the Bandits with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds on a team-best 7-for-11 shooting. Right behind him was a pair of returnees in Mitch Creek, who chipped in 23 points of his own, and Kyle Mangas, who scored 22 on 6-for-11 shooting from distance. Meanwhile, Nick Ward, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, made his season debut, albeit finishing with just two points on 1-of-4 shooting in seven minutes of action.

Nate Pierre-Louis spearheaded Saskatchewan’s effort with a double-double as well, putting up 19 points and a game-high 11 assists. Jordan Bowden also scored 19 points to go with five rebounds and seven assists, while Deon Ejim (off the bench) and Grant Anticevich added 15 and 13 points, respectively.

“It was a tough loss,” Ejim said with a tone of optimism post-game, noting how in the first two of four matchups against the Bandits this season, the Rattlers lost both by more than 20 points. “We didn’t have the ending that we wanted, but I was happy with the fight and the fact that we weren’t dominated like the last two games.

Conventional wisdom would’ve said the Bandits ought to have led after the opening frame on Saturday, considering they finished the quarter 6-for-10 from distance, went 10-for-13 from the free throw line and forced three turnovers to their zero.

Yet after Pierre-Louis’ triple in the final seconds of the frame capped off a 10-3 run, part of nine points in the first for him, it was the Rattlers that led 28-27 after 10 minutes.

While Vancouver won the battle outside the arc, it was a completely different story on the interior as the Bandits were 0-for-6 on two-pointers throughout the first quarter, giving up an 8-0 edge on paint points to the Rattlers. Vancouver’s first two-point make didn’t come till 9:13 of the second.

And after seizing the momentum, Saskatchewan made the most of it. Or rather, Ejim did, as the bench forward caught fire to the tune of 4-for-4 from distance in the second. His lights-out shooting led to a game-high 15 points at halftime as the Rattlers led 55-45 after winning the second quarter by nine points (26-17).

“We’ve been in every single game this year,” Rattlers head coach Eric Magdanz said following the loss, noting how seven of the team’s losses have come by seven-or-fewer points. “We’re a team that competes hard … it’s a huge credit to our guys.

“For us it’s about continued growth and we saw another step forward tonight.”

It was a much-welcomed outburst for a Rattlers team that averaged just 8.6 makes from distance per game entering the night, third-fewest in the CEBL. They finished 13-for-28 (46 per cent) from distance as a team on Saturday.

Whereas the taps turned off in the second for Vancouver after its perfect 5-for-5 start from distance on Saturday, as the Bandits made just one of their next 11 three-point attempts going into the break. That trend didn’t last, however, and ended up being a catalyst for their rally, making nine second-half threes on a 52 per cent clip.

“We started off slow, we’ve had a lot of guys in and out of the lineup … so we really struggled in the first half to find our rhythm,” Creek said after the win. “It’s a bit of a chess match at the moment.”

The first two of those makes came on back-to-back hits from Corey Davis. Jr and Mangas to open the third, they were part of a 14-4 run that was then capped off by a Creek fastbreak layup that gave Vancouver its first lead since the 0:41 mark of the opening quarter.

And it was Mangas who punctuated that effort by Vancouver as he nailed a running, fading triple at the buzzer to extend the Bandits' lead to 72-68 after the third. The import had missed the last two games Vancouver had lost as he went through workouts south of the border with NBA clubs, and it didn’t take long for him to remind the 4,984 in attendance what he was capable of, as his six threes in the game put him up to first in the CEBL for total triples (40) this season.

The Bandits didn’t slow down from there as they opened the fourth on a 10-2 run, carving out an 11-point lead at the start of Target Time on the heels of Creek’s second of three triples on the night.

And while the Rattlers did go blow-for-blow with the Bandits once the clocks were stopped, they needed more to overcome the double-digit deficit. Ultimately, a 5-0 burst thanks to another Creek make from distance and a pair of Samuel free throws — finishing 8-of-9 from the charity stripe — were enough for Vancouver to walk away with a win.

It was fitting that Saskatchewan committed back-to-back turnovers just before Samuel closed out the ball game, as it was an issue that underscored their loss. In a game where the Rattlers shot better across the board aside from the free throw line, and won the rebound and assist battle, it was self-inflicted miscues that loomed large. The usually disciplined Rattlers, who commit the third-fewest turnovers on average (13.4), finished with 18 as they gave up a 23-8 edge on points off giveaways. Meanwhile, they sent the Bandits to the line for 27 free throws (plus-13), of which Vancouver nailed 22 (plus-14).

“They made us second-guess ourselves,” Ejim said. “And just that simple second-guess cost us the game.”

The skid snapping victory capped off the Bandits' second-annual Filipino Celebration Game , an event that included fan activations, commemorative merch and special edition jerseys. All the while, the team wore a black-stiped patch with the word “Kapwa,” which describes the Filipino experience of community and shared humanity, to honour the lives tragically lost during the events following the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival on April 26.

“It’s the sixth man that people don’t really notice sometimes,” Creek said of the raucous sellout crowd. “All of a sudden, the momentum is in your favour … there’s a different effect. That’s what basketball is all about.”

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600621

Roster Update: Saturday June 28 vs. Winnipeg

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 21:51:11 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster updates in advance of its Saturday, June 28 game at home against the Saskatchewan Rattlers 7:00 p.m. PT:

F Nick Ward has been added to Club's active roster and will be available for tonight's game.

G Kyle Mangas and F Tyrese Samuel have been removed from the Club's Suspended List and will be available for tonight's game.

G Zach Copeland and F James Karnik have been placed on the Club's Suspended List.

G Curtis Hollis (illness) and G Tristan Jass (lower body) are ruled out for today's game.

Vancouver Bandits Sign Franchise All-Time Leading Scorer Nick Ward

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 18:56:52 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has signed its all-time leading scorer and fan favourite, Nick Ward, for the remainder of the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

Entering his third consecutive season with the club, the 6-foot-9 centre set several club records with the Bandits during the 2024 CEBL campaign. Across 39 regular season and playoff appearances, he established himself as the franchise’s leader in both scoring (730 points) and rebounding (301 rebounds).

Ward finished 2024 as a First Team All-CEBL selection, with averages of 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 20 regular season games played including 16 starts.

The Gahanna, Ohio product recently finished the 2024-25 overseas basketball season with Portuguese club Sporting CP where he helped lead the club to a semifinal appearance in the LBP playoffs earlier this year. His international basketball career also includes stints in the NBA Summer League (Atlanta Hawks, 2019), NBA G League (College Park Skyhawks, 2019-20), and professional teams in France, Lithuania, Kosovo, Bahrain, Spain, and Turkey.

Prior to turning professional, Ward played three seasons of NCAA DI basketball at Michigan State University from 2016 to 2019. He averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game on 60.5 per cent field goal shooting percentage, which ranks him third all-time among Big Ten Conference men’s basketball players. During the the 2018-19 season, he earned an All-Big Ten third-team selection and played a key role in leading the Spartans to an NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance.

Fans will have their first chance to see “The Warden” in a Bandits uniform this year on Saturday, June 28 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver hosts the Saskatchewan Rattlers at Langley Events Centre as part of the club’s second-annual Filipino Celebration Game, presented by Westland Insurance, Guildford Town Centre and Fix Auto.

The evening promises to be a vibrant celebration of Filipino music, fashion, culture, and cuisine, with various in-game entertainment and production activations. Highlights include a pre-game buffet featuring a Filipino-inspired menu, a pre-game traditional dance performance by PhilCAS of BC, and a halftime show by Filipino-Canadian R&B artist Mikey Jose. Tickets are available now at this link .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits to Broadcast First-Ever CEBL Game in Tagalog

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:03:00 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club will deliver the first-ever Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) game broadcast in Tagalog as part of the Bandits’ second-annual Filipino Celebration Game on Saturday, June 28 at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

The historic broadcast can be viewed by fans worldwide for free on the league’s streaming platform, CEBL+ . Fans can use the promo code “TAGALOG” when registering on the platform to unlock free access to the premium annual package at plus.cebl.ca . Tip-off for the Bandits’ Filipino Celebration Game is on Saturday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m. local time, Sunday, June 29 at 10:00 a.m. Philippine time.

Delivering the insights and commentary are Renz Cadang and Harold Abejo, organizers of the Surrey, B.C.-based Batang Pinoy Basketball League , one of the largest Filipino men’s recreational basketball leagues in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland region. According to Statistics Canada, as of 2021, 2.7 per cent of the province’s population has knowledge of the Tagalog language. Tagalog also accounts for 6.7 per cent of all non-official language speakers throughout Canada.

“I am honoured to be part of this historic night for the Bandits and the CEBL! It’s more than just a game for me, it is a chance to represent and honour not only my culture, but also the ‘pamilya’ and community who have always lifted me up and inspired me every step of the way,” said Cadang, who will serve as the play-by-play commentator for Saturday’s game.

“I am truly excited to represent the Filipino community by commentating in Tagalog. This opportunity brings pride to our language and culture, and reflects our deep love for the sport of basketball. It is a significant achievement and I am grateful to be part of it,” added Abejo, who will provide analysis as the game’s colour commentator.

The CEBL’s seventh season started in May and has already seen record-breaking crowds in various venues across the league, which features 10 teams across six provinces ranging as far east as Montréal to Vancouver as the league’s westernmost team. Vancouver sits tied for first place atop the CEBL standings, boasting an 8-3 record.

“Basketball is a unifying force and today, we’re proud to speak the language of one of Canada’s most passionate communities. Launching the first-ever Tagalog broadcast in CEBL history is a celebration of culture, connection, and belonging,” said Dylan Kular, team president of the Vancouver Bandits. “The Filipino community has been part of our Bandits family since day one, and this milestone is our way of saying salamat po for their unwavering support.”

The highly anticipated June 28th game will feature various in-game entertainment and production activations designed to showcase the music, fashion, culture and cuisine of the Philippines, including the debut of a special jersey and logo created by fashion designer Edmond Santelices. A percentage of proceeds from each jersey and t-shirt sold will be donated to the United Way BC KAPWA STRONG Fund and Canadian Red Cross 2025 Vancouver Lapu Lapu Festival Appeal. Adult and youth sizes of the jersey and logo t-shirt are available exclusively online or in-store at ATO Basketball Merchants .

Vancouver Bandits Unveil New Logo and Jersey Ahead of 2025 Filipino Celebration Game

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:01:14 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits proudly unveiled Monday a new logo and alternate jersey celebrating Filipino culture, designed in collaboration with fashion designer Edmond Santelices and Filipino BC.

The custom, hand-drawn jersey and logo will be worn for the first time during the club's second-annual Filipino Celebration Game, presented by Westland Insurance, Guildford Town Centre and Fix Auto, which will be hosted on Saturday, June 28, when the Bandits host the Saskatchewan Rattlers at Langley Events Centre.

A percentage of proceeds of each jersey and logo t-shirt sold will be donated to the United Way BC KAPWA STRONG Fund and Canadian Red Cross 2025 Vancouver Lapu Lapu Festival Appeal . Adult and youth sizes of the jersey and logo t-shirt are available exclusively online or in-store at ATO Basketball Merchants in Langley.

“The jersey and logo celebrates community and shows that Filipino people are strong. It creates a sense of belonging,” said Santelices, who is the founder of Vancouver-based apparel manufacturing company ES Fashion Design Studio and fashion brand Varsant . “When I grew up in the Philippines, people would just play around the basketball court; it is all about family gathering together, enjoying their time and playing a sport that we all love.”

“When it came to designing the jersey and logo, I really wanted to go back to our roots. I wanted to know the original people of the Philippines and how we used to classify ourselves. Many of the details are inspired by the different types of indigenous Filipino tattoos.”

Santelices’ hand drawn logo conveys cultural significance and features depictions of prominent animals in Filipino folklore, including crocodile teeth, snake tongues, and scorpions. Additional cultural references incorporated within the logo include imagery of a "Vinta," a traditional Philippine sailing vessel, and a red bandana emblazoned across the emblem which serves as a homage to Filipino folk hero, Lapu Lapu.

The reimagined jersey utilizes a colourway of red, yellow and blue, the national colours of the Philippines, and features a distinct side panel design. Continuing to draw inspiration from Indigenous Filipino tattoo motifs, the detailed pattern embodies themes of love, family and unity. Furthermore, the country's iconic sun symbol is prominently showcased in a repeating pattern around the uniform.

“This jersey and logo is more than just a uniform - it is a celebration of culture, community and connection. The Filipino community has played a major role in shaping the energy and heartbeat of Bandits Basketball and this jersey is a tribute to their passion, pride and love for the game,” said Dylan Kular, team president of Vancouver Bandits. “We’re proud to wear the colours not only as a symbol of representation, but as a commitment to creating space and opportunity for Filipino youth, families and leaders to feel seen, celebrated and empowered.”

The jersey will also honour the victims and those affected by the tragic events that occurred following the Lapu-vLapu Day Festival, which took place in Vancouver on April 26, 2025. A black stripe will be worn across the top left shoulder of the jersey and feature the word “KAPWA” displayed prominently, a term that describes the Filipino experience of community, interconnectedness and shared humanity.

“Our love of basketball extends beyond just the game, this sport has had the power to bring us closer to our community through celebrations, losses and even now in times of grief,” said RJ Aquino, Chair of Filipino BC. “We are grateful to the Vancouver Bandits for honouring those we’ve lost and for making space for those affected to gather and heal.”

Back by popular demand, the highly anticipated June 28th game will include various in-game entertainment and production activations designed to showcase the music, fashion, culture and cuisine of the Philippines, including a pre-game buffet featuring a Filipino-inspired menu, a pregame dance performance by PhilCAS of BC and halftime performance by Filipino-Canadian R&B artist Mikey Jose. Tickets for the game are on sale now at this link .

Bandits Drop Sunday Matinee to Surge in Calgary

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 23:10:26 GMT

In a battle between the Western Conference’s top two teams, the Calgary Surge pushed the pace on their way to a convincing win over the Vancouver Bandits on Sunday (June 20).

Calgary’s 100-83 victory vaults the team atop the CEBL standings at 8-3, winning both meetings with their rivals from Vancouver so far this season.

The second loss to Calgary marks the first time Vancouver has lost consecutive games this year and snaps a four-game winning streak on the road.

Both squads were coming off losses to Western Conference rivals heading into Sunday’s clash at WinSport Event Centre, but a massive 33-13 second quarter propelled the Surge to a comfortable win.

After allowing 31 points in the first quarter, Calgary head coach Kaleb Canales said the team got back to its bread and butter.

“In the team huddle, we just kept talking about [how] our brand of basketball is defence to offence. We had to get more activity on the ball and our weak side tighter. And I thought the guys did a great job of executing the game plan,” Canales said.

Six Surge players scored in double figures, with Greg Brown III’s 24 points leading the way. The NBA-experienced forward scored the Target Score Winner at the line and added eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.

Brown III felt the Surge were already the best team in the league before Sunday’s win.

“We already beat Vancouver the first time by 15 – now we beat them by 20. We showed we’re the best team in the league,” Brown III said.

Sean Miller-Moore tallied 20 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Surge while Olumide Adelodun netted 17 off the bench. Jameer Nelson Jr., Khyri Thomas, and Javonté Brown rounded out the Calgary attack with 11 points apiece.

As a team, Calgary dished 29 assists while winning the battles on the fastbreak and in the paint. The Surge were a menace on defence as well, forcing 29 turnovers – including 14 steals – and blocking six shots.

Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius said it was noticeable the squad was shorthanded, including the absence of Mitch Creek due to injury late in Friday’s loss to Winnipeg. He said the team didn’t stick with what was working after a strong first quarter.

“The game plan worked great in the first quarter and then it ended. Then it stopped,” Julius said.

Duane Notice and Curtis Hollis each scored 15 to pace the Bandits’ offence in Creek’s absence, while recent acquisition Zach Copeland netted 12 off the bench in his second game of the season.

Copeland played with Vancouver last year and is confident they’ll figure things out.

“We had some rough patches last year too and we made it to the final. So [we have to] keep a level head and just keep going,” he said.

To open the game, defence was difficult to find. The Surge and Bandits both started hot offensively and hung tight with eight lead changes. Calgary showcased its athletic pedigree with high-flying finishes from Brown III and Miller-Moore. However, the Bandits showed off their long-range accuracy and carried a 31-25 lead after 10 minutes.

In the second quarter, the Surge continued to excel offensively while locking in on defence. After a back-and-forth start to the frame, Calgary finished the half on a 25-6 run.

While the usual suspects of Brown III, Miller-Moore, and Nelson Jr. all contributed, the supporting cast stole the show in the second quarter. Big man Javonté Brown made plays on both ends, while Adelodun caught fire from beyond the arc and Thomas carried the offence early.

Adelodun led all scorers with 14 points and Calgary carried a 58-44 advantage heading into the locker room.

“It's good to see the work show and that’s actually all that matters at the end of the day,” Adelodun said.

The third quarter proved why basketball is known as a game of runs. The Surge looked poised to run away with the win after an 11-2 run to open the half, taking a 23-point lead. The stretch was highlighted by Miller-Moore buckets at all three levels, including an off-backboard transition alley-oop from Nelson Jr.

Out of a timeout, the Bandits stormed back with a 13-2 run of their own with long-range shooting from Hollis, Copeland and Corey Davis Jr. But the Surge closed the quarter on yet another run to lead 81-64 ahead of the fourth.

Vancouver climbed back to cut the deficit to 10, but four straight points from Brown III gave Calgary a 14-point lead before Target Score Time.

Brown III continued to assert himself in the final stretch with help from his running mates, Miller-Moore and Nelson Jr. A putback from Brown III put the Surge one point away before he ended the game at the free throw line.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600616

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Calgary Surge (06/22/2025)

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 22:30:21 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on June 22, 2025.

Vancouver Bandits Host Sell-out Crowd on South Asian Celebration Night, Fall to Sea Bears

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 05:46:24 GMT

Terry Roberts caught fire in Target Score Time to secure a statement road win for the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Friday (June 20).

The Sea Bears weathered a fourth quarter run from the Bandits to win 92-85 in front of a packed house at Langley Events Centre. Winnipeg picked up its fourth straight victory and ended Vancouver’s three-game winning streak in the process.

The trio of Roberts, Jalen Harris and Simi Shittu carried the offensive load for Winnipeg with a combined 74 points in the victory.

Roberts netted 25 points, including the final seven points of Target Score Time, and Harris showed off his ability to score at all three levels with 22 points on 10-20 shooting from the field.

“I love the fact that we've got two dynamic play-making guards,” Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor said.

“There are times when Jalen Harris carried us in the first half and then they … put [their] best defenders on him. And then Terry is dynamic enough to go make plays. I think a lot of people would say shooting threes is not his forte – he's a guy that's attacking the paint – but he's just a guy that makes winning plays.”

Taylor added that Shittu is a game-changer for the Sea Bears as well. The big man from Vanderbilt notched a double-double with a team-high 27 points and 14 rebounds. Shittu said the win will help build confidence for the Championship Weekend hosts.

“As a team, we just came together and we saw what we’re made of down the stretch. It was good for us,” Shittu said.

On the other side, Aussie Mitch Creek continued his MVP-calibre start to the season with 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists before leaving the game with an injury in Target Time.

Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius voiced his frustration with losing Creek and said the team will have to evaluate its slow starts after going down by double digits in back-to-back games.

“We've had some really soft starts. I thought tonight overall we were soft. The main takeaway is that we were soft overall,” Julius said.

Curtis Hollis added 14 for Vancouver with recent acquisitions James Karnik and Corey Davis Jr. contributing in just their second game of the season as well.

Karnik battled inside with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Davis Jr. was lethal from long range with 16 points and seven assists.

Davis Jr. said the Bandits did a good job of fighting back in the third and fourth quarter, but the second quarter hurt them.

“We did fight hard – we brought it back to be able to win the game – and I think that's always something you can look back on and build from. But I mean putting yourself in those types of situations is something that we have to stay away from,” Davis Jr. said.

The star power for both teams was on full display in a fast-paced start to the game. Creek showed off inside touch and Davis Jr. hit from distance for Vancouver. Meanwhile, Shittu was a force on the boards and Harris cooked from mid-range for Winnipeg.

The west coast squads traded leads late in the first, with a buzzer-beating corner three from Nathan Bilamu putting Winnipeg ahead 21-20 after 10 minutes.

The Bandits and Sea Bears hung tight early in the second, but Winnipeg took control with a 17-4 run and led by as much as 13. The Sea Bears were active on the offensive glass during the stretch, with highlight-reel putbacks from Shittu and Harris.

Vancouver started to pick up the pace late in the half, but Winnipeg caught fire from long range and carried a 54-42 lead into the locker room.

The Bandits climbed back with an 11-2 run to start the second half and made it a one-possession game. Out of a timeout, however, the Sea Bears regained a double-digit lead capped by an and-one from Shittu.

Creek and Shittu exchanged buckets to close the quarter with Winnipeg taking a 75-70 advantage into the fourth.

Five free throws and a floater from Curtis Hollis tied the contest at 77 early in the final frame. With the shot clock winding down, Creek drove strong to the hoop to give Vancouver its first lead of the half.

After trading leads, Harris buried a mid-range jumper for Winnipeg to head into the final stretch with a one-point advantage and a target of 92.

Hollis kicked off Target Score Time with a triple, but a Shittu slam and four straight points from Roberts left the Sea Bears three points from victory.

Roberts stayed hot and buried a contested wing trifecta to finish the game.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600612

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Winnipeg Sea Bears (06/20/2025)

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 04:49:34 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on June 20th, 2025.

Roster Update: Friday, June 20 vs. Winnipeg

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 19:57:50 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster updates in advance of its Friday, June 20 game at home against the Winnipeg Sea Bears at 7:00 p.m. PT:

G Zach Copeland has been added to Club's active roster and will be available for tonight's game.

G Kyle Mangas has been placed on the Club's Suspended List in order for him to participate in potential NBA team workouts and Summer League opportunities; he will return to the club at the conclusion of his commitments.

G Mike Nuga has been released from the roster in order for him to pursue future basketball opportunities.

G Tristan Jass (lower body) is ruled out for today's game.

Vancouver Bandits Re-Sign American Guard Zach Copeland

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 18:26:41 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has re-signed American guard Zach Copeland.

The 6-foot-4 sharpshooter makes his return to the Bandits roster for his second stint with the team. During the 2024 CEBL season, Copeland started in all 20 regular season games for the Bandits averaging 15.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 29.6 minutes of action per game.

His 67 three-pointers placed him first among all CEBL players during the 2024 campaign. His summer with the Bandits was highlighted by notching the Target Score winner in the CEBL West Final on August 9, 2024 to send the club to the 2024 CEBL championship game.

The Oakland, Calif. product most recently played professionally in Italy during the 2024-25 season with Scaligera Verona, appearing in 23 games and posting averages of 17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists. His overseas career also includes stops in Germany, Finland, Ukraine and England.

Copeland began his post-secondary career at City College of San Francisco, where his performance in the 2016-17 season earned him both the Coast-North Conference Player of the Year and the California Community Colleges Men's Basketball Coaches Association Co-Player of the Year awards.

His impressive play at the junior college level led him to transfer to Illinois State University, where he played two seasons of NCAA Division I basketball from 2018-20. In his final year at Illinois State, Copeland became the Redbirds’ leading scorer with 14.5 points per game, also ranking 7th among Missouri Valley Conference leaders and establishing himself as one of the conference's top players.

Bandits Complete 20-Point Comeback to Down Alliance

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 06:08:26 GMT

Vancouver emerged victorious over Montréal in a battle between the best of both conferences on Saturday (June 14) at Langley Events Centre.

The Bandits stormed back from a 20-point deficit in the first half to earn their third straight victory.

A timely 15-0 run in the fourth quarter propelled the Bandits to the comeback, featuring clutch shooting from Curtis Hollis, along with inside finishing from Mitch Creek and Shamar Givance.

Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius said certain possessions in the third quarter set the tone for the comeback.

“We just kept talking about chipping away and we talked a lot about the power of one possession and how it can change a game,” Julius said.

Creek paced the Bandits’ attack with a game-high 30 points to go along with seven rebounds. Hollis added 18 points, including the game-winner.

“I knew we had to get one more bucket. I knew the guys were helping off me all game, which I really don't know why, but I saw he helped off me, and Shamar made a great pass and I just had to make a shot,” Hollis said.

James Karnik and Corey Davis Jr. also made their season debuts for Vancouver, adding nine points each. Julius said incorporating new faces mid-season can be a challenge.

“The chemistry of a locker room is fragile. You build your offence around a particular group, you build your defense around a particular group, and when certain pieces change, it can affect your scheme. And so, yeah, you have to tweak things all week,” Julius said.

Meanwhile, Montréal guard Tavian Dunn-Martin proved difficult to stop despite second-half struggles as a team. He netted 20 points with four threes on eight-of-13 shooting overall.

“We settled for too many threes [in the second half]. We didn't attack the basket … didn't get to the line. Then they got out in transition and made shots, and we didn't,” Dunn-Martin said.

Montréal seized control early on, shooting 70 per cent from the field in the first quarter and forcing the Bandits into catch-up mode.

Alliance head coach Jermaine Small said his squad was outrebounded in the second half but expects to get better from the loss.

“You have to understand that you've got to play a 40-minute game. We got off to a really good start [and] obviously we tapered off a little bit. But it's just a good lesson … basketball is a long game, so I'm not worried about it,” Small said.

Montréal began the game on a 14-4 run that culminated in back-to-back threes from Anthony Walker and Quincy Guerrier. Creek showed off his rebounding ability on the offensive glass, keeping the Bandits in the contest with three putbacks.

However, the Alliance offence was on fire in the opening 10 minutes. Montréal closed the quarter on a 13-3 run, highlighted by a pair of Michael Diggins Jr. slams and a deep trifecta from Dunn-Martin, to take a 32-15 lead into the second.

Guerrier connected on a free throw and a spin layup to extend Montréal’s lead to 20 early in the second before Vancouver went on a quick run fueled by transition finishes to narrow the gap. However, the Alliance stayed hot with another deep triple from Dunn-Martin and a corner three from former Bandit Malcolm Duvivier.

The red-hot Montréal offence cooled off to end the half and Vancouver took advantage, closing the deficit to single digits by halftime at 48-41 with a 9-2 run.

The third quarter turned into a defensive battle, with neither team scoring more than 15 points. The Bandits fought back to tie the game for the first time since the opening tip, powered by an 11-2 run in which the Alliance didn’t connect on a field goal.

However, long-range shooting put Montréal back in front with back-to-back threes from Guerrier and Dunn-Martin. The Alliance carried a 62-56 advantage into the fourth quarter.

Dunn-Martin continued to showcase his range with another deep three early in the fourth to bring the Alliance lead back to double-digits.

But the Bandits demonstrated their resilience with a massive 15-0 run that put the home squad in front for the first time all game.

Alain Louis made some clutch trifectas ahead of the final stretch, but a Creek and-one put Vancouver ahead 80-77 with an 89-point Target Score.

After Guerrier kicked off scoring in Target Score Time with a transition slam, Davis Jr. buried a three, Creek got the hoop and the harm, and Givance scored in transition to put Vancouver one point away from victory.

Hollis connected on a catch-and-shoot from the wing to complete the comeback and improve the Bandits’ record to 8-1.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600585

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Montreal Alliance (06/14/2025)

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 04:38:43 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Montreal Alliance on June 14th, 2025.

Roster Update: Saturday, June 14 vs. Montréal

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 23:01:55 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster updates in advance of its Saturday, June 14 game at home against the Montréal Alliance at 7:00 p.m. PT:

G Corey Davis Jr. has been added to Club's active roster and will be available for tonight's game.

F James Karnik has been removed the the Club's Suspended List and added to Club's active roster and will be available for tonight's game.

F Tyrese Samuel has been placed on the Club's Suspended List in order for him to participate in potential NBA team workouts and Summer League opportunities; he will return to the club at the conclusion of his commitments.

G Izaiah Brockington has been placed on the Club's Suspended List in order for him to participate in potential NBA team workouts and Summer League opportunities; he will return to the club at the conclusion of his commitments.

G Tristan Jass (lower body) is ruled out for today's game.

Vancouver Bandits Sign CEBL Assists Record Holder, Former Houston Cougars Star Corey Davis Jr.

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:55:34 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has signed 6’1” American guard Corey Davis Jr.

No stranger to the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), Davis Jr. was a member of the Calgary Surge during the 2024 season where he set the league record for most assists in a single season with 126 helpers. Appearing and starting in 19 regular season games and three playoff games, he averaged 13.4 points, 6.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals through 33.1 minutes played. He finished the season with three consecutive, 20+ point performances in the postseason, leading the Surge from the Play-In round to the CEBL Western Conference Final.

Davis Jr. most recently played professionally with Vanoli Cremona, the highest-tier level of Italy’s basketball league system, where he appeared in 30 games and averaged 13.6 points, 5.6 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 29.8 minutes of action per game during the 2024-25 season. His pro career also includes stops in Spain, Montenegro, France, Turkey and a stint with the Washington Wizards during the 2019 NBA Summer League.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be back in the CEBL and can’t wait to get started with the Bandits. I’m looking forward to working with coach Kyle and the team, and building on the success that the Bandits have had so far this season,” said Davis Jr.

A member of the University of Houston’s men’s basketball team for two seasons from 2017 to 2019, Davis Jr. was a unanimous First Team All-American Athletic Conference selection in 2019. Davis Jr. also helped the Cougars advance to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, including a berth in the 2019 Sweet 16.

Davis Jr. will be on the active roster for the Vancouver Bandits game Saturday evening at home when the club hosts the visiting Montréal Alliance at Langley Events Centre.

In a corresponding move, the club has placed guard Izaiah Brockington on its Suspended List in order to accommodate Davis Jr.'s addition while adhering to CEBL roster rules, which limit clubs to four Import players on active rosters.

World-Renowned Bhangra StarJazzy B To Perform at Vancouver Bandits South Asian Celebration Game

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:54:55 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that world renowned Canadian Punjabi vocalist, actor and JUNO nominated artist Jazzy B will perform at Langley Events Centre (LEC) on Friday, June 20 when the Bandits host the visiting Winnipeg Sea Bears for the club’s second annual South Asian Celebration Game, presented by Westland Insurance.

Known as the “Crown Prince of Bhangra”, Jazzy B will delight Bandits fans in attendance with a performance at half-time, which is included in the cost of a Bandits game ticket.

Tickets for Jazzy B’s highly anticipated concert start as low as $15 each; admission to the concert and game are combined. All ticket prices are inclusive of taxes and fees are on sale now at this link .

Fans in attendance are kindly encouraged to arrive prior to 7 p.m. PT to ensure that they have time to find parking (free on-site at LEC) and locate their seats before tip-off and Jazzy B’s performance.

Born in Punjab, India, Jaswinder Singh Bains aka Jazzy B moved to Surrey, British Columbia with his family in his youth. Since his debut album “Gugian de Jorra” in 1993, Jazzy B’s success has paved the way for the talented artist to be recognized worldwide. He has released 18 studio albums, sold out arenas around the globe and earned countless international accolades, including multiple PTC Punjabi Music Awards.

In 2016, Jazzy B became the first South Asian entertainer to be inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame. Further acclaim came earlier this year at the 2025 JUNO Awards with a nomination in the South Asian Music Recording of the Year category.

Beyond his solo work, Jazzy B has forged collaborations with high-profile musicians such as Snoop Dogg and AP Dhillon, and had his work featured on the big screen with his song "Sat Rangey” included on the soundtrack of the movie Deadpool. Furthermore, he has successfully crossed over into acting, making his mark in a number of prominent Indian films and TV shows.

Don't miss your chance to witness this exciting celebration of music, sport and culture as Jazzy B performs at the 2025 Vancouver Bandits South Asian Celebration Game Halftime Show on Friday, June 20. Ticket to the game required; the halftime show is included as part of your Vancouver Bandits game experience!

Bandits Remain Undefeated on Road with Win Over Rattlers

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 01:07:36 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (7-1) improved to 4-0 on the road this season with an emphatic 101-76 win over the Saskatchewan Rattlers (2-5) on Sunday evening.

It was déjà vu for the franchise-record 3,518 fans in attendance at the SaskTel Centre as Vancouver took the second of four regular-season meetings in a similarly dominant fashion to their first matchup — now having won both by an average margin of 32.5 points.

The Bandits used a full-team effort for their latest victory as seven different players made at least two field goals, while four scored in double figures. And just like he did last time against the Rattlers, Tyrese Samuel led the way with 21 points. Behind him was Izaiah Brockington, who scored 18 points with three triples, while Shamar Givance and Mitch Creek added 16 points each.

“Really happy with the win,” Vancouver head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said post-game. “Pleased with the energy, togetherness and connectivity of the guys.”

On the other side, Cody John spearheaded the Rattlers as their two-game win streak got snapped, finishing with a team-high 18 points. Meanwhile, Jamir Chaplin chipped in 16 points, while Grant Anticevich and Jordan Bowden off the bench scored 11 points, respectively.

It was no secret that the Rattlers entered Sunday looking for revenge after last month’s home-opener was spoiled thanks to a 40-point loss to the Bandits — a franchise-record win for Vancouver. Saskatchewan head coach Eric Magdanz admitted as much pre-game, noting the rematch had been marked on the calendar.

Unfortunately for his Rattlers squad, the Bandits' league-leading offence continued to prove troublesome as they shot 66 per cent from the field (12-of-18) in the opening frame. The hot start sparked a 13-2 run that helped carve out a 30-16 lead after the first. Practically identical to last time, when Vancouver led by 11 points after 10 minutes into the first matchup.

“We had moments where we fought back, but that’s got to be consistent for 40 minutes,” Magdanz said post-game. “We’ve improved in some areas, but we have some growth yet to happen … we (previously) found success by playing together, playing as a team and we lacked that today.”

The Bandits have now scored at least 100 points in six of their eight games and are the only team in the CEBL averaging 100-plus points per game. And it’s been done collectively as four Bandits (Creek, Kyle Mangas, Samuel and Curtis Hollis) rank top 30 in the CEBL for scoring.

“Not trying to be arrogant, but we seem to be getting everyone’s best game,” Julius said on his team’s mindset entering the contest. “But when you’re one of the top teams in the league, everybody really prepares for you, and so we really thought today was going to be a significant challenge.”

As has been the case for much of the season, Vancouver asserted their dominance by spreading the wealth as all five starters scored in the first quarter — led by Brockington, who had eight points on 3-for-3 shooting, including two triples.

Also like last time, the Bandits held onto the momentum from there, building their lead up to 20 points (56-36) at the break. Seven different players on Vancouver finished the half with five-plus points, spearheaded by Mangas’s nine points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field.

Unlike the first matchup, however, the Rattlers came out of halftime with a much better response. Rather than getting outscored by 17 in the third like the previous mid-May matchup, Saskatchewan won the frame on Sunday — the first-time beating Vancouver for a quarter this season — and chipped into the deficit, down 72-54. And that was largely thanks to John, as the Mississauga, Ont. native single-handedly scored the Rattlers' first 10 points of the quarter.

“We played within our tempo, we played physically defensively and that let us get out in transition,” Magdanz explained when asked how his team found success in the third.

But although Saskatchewan had already proven it could rally with the clock stopped — going on an 11-0 run in Target Score Time against the Calgary Surge on Friday for their second win — Sunday’s deficit proved too large to overcome.

Ultimately, Vancouver’s game plan was similar to the first matchup, and it yielded similarly positive results. The Bandits focused exclusively on rim pressure and were met by little resistance, finishing plus-eight for paint points (50-42) while earning 10 more free throws than the Rattlers.

“Proud of how we stuck to the game plan and attacked the paint first and really got ourselves going early,” Brockington said after the win.

The Bandits went up by as many as 26 points headed into Target Score Time before Samuel tipped in a Hollis miss for the game-sealing score — providing one final dose of been there, done that as forward also made the winning basket the last time these teams played.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600593

Full Game Highlights | Bandits at Saskatchewan Rattlers (06/08/2025)

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 18:16:10 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Saskatchewan Rattlers on June 8th, 2025.

Bandits Reclaim Top Spot With Statement Win Over BlackJacks

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 05:59:27 GMT

A full schedule of CEBL play wrapped up on the West Coast as the Vancouver Bandits hosted the Ottawa BlackJacks in a high-stakes cross-conference clash.

The Bandits returned to the win column with a 95-81 victory over the BlackJacks at the Langley Events Centre, improving to 6-1 and reclaiming the top spot in the West after suffering their first loss of the season last weekend.

Led by Mitch Creek, who finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, the Australian import maintained his consistent level of play despite a tight back-and-forth with the Eastern Conference visitors.

“We understand that teams might be able to stay with us for three quarters,” Creek commented on playing a complete game as a team. “When we got to the fourth quarter, we really turned it up. We had each other’s backs, and we had that groove, confidence and swagger to come back… That’s the basketball we know we play and we’re excited to carry that momentum forward.”

While it didn’t show on the score sheet, Kyle Mangas offered a steadying force throughout the night. He created opportunities from the back court with two steals, one block and a team-leading seven defensive rebounds.

“Kyle didn’t have a great game offensively, but he’s so calm and confident,” said Bandits head coach Kyle Julius on the American import. “He’s so resilient and he makes a few plays in the end that going in the fourth quarter, his steadiness and maturity makes a big difference.”

Despite the loss, Ottawa (2-3) did not go down without a fight as their bench contributed 42 points in the game. Quarterbacked by Christian Rohlehr, who neared a double-double of 11 points and nine rebounds.

“They made that push for us,” said Rohlehr about the BlackJacks’ bench contributions. “They give the guys confidence and make us fight. We believe that we can get away with a win but we just couldn’t execute all the way.”

Justin Jackson also made a key impact off the bench, scoring 12 points off the bench, shooting 4-for-6 and a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.

“Our bench has been really good for us,” BlackJacks head coach Dave DeAveiro commented on the full roster involvement. “They come in and they pick up defensively. They run their offense. They don’t try to do too much and just try to be solid.”

The first half saw both teams trade momentum. The Bandits pulled ahead early with a 21-12 lead in the first quarter, but the BlackJacks stormed back in the second, outscoring the home team 23-17 to cut Vancouver’s lead to just 38-35 going into halftime.

Ottawa’s second half comeback was heavily backed by their bench scoring with a combined 18 points before halftime and strong defense with 11 rebounds while generating a plus-6 to close the first 20 minutes of the game.

The second half remained tight. Jackson’s hot streak—including three consecutive threes—kept the BlackJacks within one point entering the final frame, trailing just 65-64.

But the final momentum shift went in the way of Vancouver. The Bandits immediately responded to their first sight of losing their lead they managed to maintain throughout the game. Opening the final frame with a 10-2 run in preparation for Target Score Time, they outpaced the BlackJacks.

With less than three minutes left on the clock before time was stopped, the Bandits threw down the final gauntlet, bringing the score up to 86-74, setting Target Score to 95 points. From there, Tyrese Samuel and Curtis Hollis took over, dropping four and five points, respectively to secure the win and send the BlackJacks back on the road.

For Julius and his roster, Friday night was an opportunity to put their training and preparation to the test. Starting the 2025 season with dominant wins over their opponents, they found themselves needing to shift and remind themselves that no win will come easily. Their 95-80 loss to the Calgary Surge was a reality check.

“In Calgary, we found ourselves a step slow. We were lethargic, didn’t have a scout, didn’t have a shootaround—we were put in the trenches,” Creek reflected on their loss and how the Bandits returned to form for tonight, “We found ourselves going back and reteaching the basics, fundamentals, floor spacing—things that people overlook seven games into a season.”

These resets, even throughout the game with so called “anger time-outs” (according to Julius) were reminders for the Bandits to regain their fight and play harder.

As for Ottawa, the road ahead is tough as they try to return to a .500 record.

“We’re going through rough patches,” DeAveiro admitted. “We haven’t responded the way we wanted to so we’ll go back and watch the tape to figure out ways we can manage those situations better… The big thing is staying together and probably keep relying on our bench to get us through tough situations like that.”

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600611

Roster Update: Friday, June 6 vs. Ottawa

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 20:18:17 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster updates in advance of its Friday, June 6 game at home against the Ottawa BlackJacks at 7:00 p.m. PT:

G Tristan Jass (lower body) is ruled out for today's game.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Ottawa BlackJacks (06/06/2025)

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:10:19 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Ottawa BlackJacks on June 6th, 2025.

Vancouver Bandits Announce 2025 Front Jersey Patch Partnership with Dyrand Systems, Powered by Pax8

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:46:07 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits are proud to tip off the 2025 season with an exciting new partnership! We are thrilled to welcome Dyrand Systems as our official front jersey patch partner for the upcoming season.

At the heart of the Bandits organization is a strong commitment to championing local talent, businesses, and innovation. That’s why teaming up with Dyrand Systems - British Columbia’s premier managed IT service provider - feels like a perfect match.

This season, our players will hit the court sporting jerseys that proudly display the Dyrand Systems logo, a symbol of shared values in excellence, innovation, and community. Backing this partnership is Dyrand’s strategic alliance with Pax8, a global technology marketplace that connects partners, vendors, and SMBs through AI-driven insights and cutting-edge cloud solutions.

With a worldwide ecosystem of over 40,000 managed service providers, Pax8 empowers companies to scale smarter, strengthen cybersecurity, and transform digital operations—helping innovators like Dyrand deliver next-level support to businesses across BC and beyond. “Partnering with Dyrand and Pax8 is a strategic alignment that supports our mission—not only to elevate BC basketball but also to spotlight BC businesses on a global stage,” said Kevin Dhaliwal Co-Owner of the Vancouver Bandits.

“At Dyrand Systems, we believe that strong teams—on the court and behind the tech—are built on trust, resilience, and relentless support. Just like the Bandits bring our community together with passion and purpose, we’re proud to stand behind them while delivering the same level of commitment to our clients every day. Supporting local champions is part of who we are,” said Kam Bansal, CEO Dyrand Systems.

“We love that our new Pax8Premier program is literally a win-win for both our managed service provider (MSP) partner Dyrand and the Bandits,” said Leigh Nordhoff, Director of Commercial Partnerships at Pax8. “We help our partners go to market in a variety of ways, from our AI-driven Pax8 Marketplace, support and services to providing partnerships like this and a platform to promote their businesses. The Bandits gets an excellent technology provider that will deliver efficiencies and cost savings for their IT environment and a cross-promotional partnership out of the deal as well. We are thrilled to have put both companies together to drive their mutual growth and success.”

This partnership is more than just a logo on a jersey—it’s a statement of shared vision, local pride, and collective ambition. We can't wait for fans and the community to experience this exciting collaboration, both courtside and beyond.

Dyrand Systems — IT Support That Dunks Like the Bandits. Powered by Pax8.

Bandits Outlasted by Calgary Surge on Indigenous Celebration Night

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 03:46:51 GMT

The Calgary Surge ended the Vancouver Bandits’ undefeated start and jumped to the top of the CEBL standings on Sunday (June 1).

Calgary led for almost the entire game in a comprehensive 95-80 win over Vancouver at Langley Events Centre.

Surge guard Sean Miller-Moore dropped a game-high 22 points, including the game-winning layup, while hitting a major milestone.

“Rugzy” became the sixth player in CEBL history to score 1,000 total points, including the regular season and playoffs.

“It’s just a testament to [the] work I put in… it feels good,” Miller-Moore said.

Miller-Moore was proud of Calgary’s resilience down the stretch when Vancouver cut the deficit to just four points after trailing by 21 in the third.

“They were at the top of the west … so of course, it was a statement win,” he said. “But I'm just proud of how we showed our composure at the end there when they went on a run.”

Greg Brown III also had a massive impact on Sunday despite early foul trouble. The NBA-experienced forward notched a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Jameer Nelson Jr. continued to contribute on both ends for Calgary as well, with 15 points, eight assists, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.

The Surge defence laid the foundation for its transition offence on Sunday, outscoring the Bandits 24-6 on the fast break.

Calgary head coach Kaleb Canales has emphasized the defence to offence formula throughout the season. After a 5-1 start, Canales said the Surge are a great group to battle with every night.

“The togetherness, the communication on and off the floor, the chemistry – they just love being around each other, and we love coaching them,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Bandits picked up their first loss after a 5-0 start. Head coach Kyle Julius said the Bandits need to take it on the chin after they “flat out got beat”.

“To be honest, we got a lot of wide open shots .. I think we got more wide open shots today than any other game we've played. I think we just didn't make them,” Julius said.

Mitch Creek led the Bandits in scoring once again with 20 points to go along with 13 rebounds. Curtis Hollis also had a big night off the bench for Vancouver, scoring 17 points and sparking a 17-3 run in the fourth quarter.

“The ball just finally hit my hands a couple times. I've been looking for it all game – sometimes it goes like that. We have a really deep team, so once it came to me I just stayed aggressive, and I started making [shots],” Hollis said.

Vancouver started the game with a pair of quick buckets before Calgary seized control with a 10-0 run. The Surge locked in defensively, limiting Vancouver to 23 per cent shooting from the field in the opening 10 minutes and 0-6 from beyond the arc.

The duo of Khyri Thomas and Stefan Jankovic led Calgary on another run to close the quarter, and the Surge carried a 26-13 advantage into the second.

Miller-Moore showed off his offensive versatility in the second quarter, fading from the short corner, forcing a Vancouver timeout with a fastbreak layup, and burying a pair of triples to slow momentum.

Vancouver responded by attacking the paint, sparking a late-half run that featured several highlight-reel finishes—including a massive transition poster dunk by Kyle Mangas. The Bandits closed the gap to 47-40 heading into halftime.

After a pair of mid-range finishes from Izaiah Brockington early in the third cut into the deficit, Calgary took a stranglehold on the lead. The Surge went on an 18-2 run and led by as much as 21 before free throws from Mangas made it 71-52 heading into the fourth.

Hollis jumpstarted the Vancouver offence in the fourth quarter, drilling three trifectas to lead the Bandits on a 17-3 run. The big run made it a four-point game, but Calgary maintained its poise.

Brown III calmed things down with the hoop and the harm, and the teams traded blows until Olumide Adelodun buried a clutch three to give Calgary an 85-77 lead ahead of Target Score Time.

Nelson Jr. drilled a triple of his own to open scoring in the final stretch. Brown III inched Calgary closer with a floater before Miller-Moore ended Vancouver’s undefeated start with back-to-back buckets.

The Surge and Bandits meet again later this month on June 22 at WinSport Event Centre.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600592

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Calgary Surge (06/01/2025)

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 02:45:48 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on June 1st, 2025.

Bandits Stay Undefeated With Fifth Straight Win, Set Franchise Record

Sat, 31 May 2025 04:48:25 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits weathered a late push from the Edmonton Stingers to remain undefeated on Friday night (May 30).

Mitch Creek and Kyle Mangas combined for 10 trifectas and 53 points to drive the Bandits to a 104-95 victory.

Both Bandits impacted the game as playmakers as well. Mangas scored an efficient 27 points on eight-of-11 shooting, including the game-winning triple, to go along with eight assists. Creek tallied 26 points while dishing seven assists and snagging six rebounds.

“I really tried to get my teammates involved and just make the right play,” Mangas said. “Basketball is fun when everyone's involved out there and touching the ball. If I have a shot, I'm going to take it – my team expects me to do that – but I'm trying to get others involved too.”

With the win, the Bandits became the second team in the history of the CEBL to start 5-0. Edmonton was the only other franchise to do it, with its 7-0 start in 2021 remaining the standard.

Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius said his team looked tired as they wrap up a two-game road trip.

“I thought they showed really good fight. I thought our leadership really showed out there, and we got great contributions,” Julius said.

Through one half of basketball, the Stingers looked poised for a tight finish with the Bandits. But offensive struggles in the third quarter allowed Vancouver to seize control.

“It was just our defensive game plan. I thought we were off it in the first [half] – we were missing some of our key assignments,” Julius said. “Then we were better with that in the second half and I thought the bench was really good in the second half.”

Friday’s matchup at Edmonton Expo Centre was the second meeting between the two squads in less than a week. The Bandits routed the Stingers in the previous contest 109-79.

Edmonton head coach Jordan Baker said the team isn’t satisfied with the loss but can come away with some positives compared to the previous game.

“We're still early in the season and we want to learn from our experiences and learn from every game. So we definitely have some things to clean up but the guys showed some resilience and some effort after getting down early,” Baker said.

Despite the loss, Edmonton’s Sean East II, Scottie Lindsey and Nick Hornsby all had stellar performances. East tied Mangas with a game-high 27 points, while Hornsby tallied 17 points and nine rebounds.

Meanwhile, Lindsey dropped 20 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter in an effort to crawl back into the game.

East said the Bandits had more execution and attention to detail down the stretch.

“I got to do better. We got to do better as a team, and we just got to keep fighting and keep building towards something special,” he said.

To open the game, Vancouver pounced with an 11-0 run that forced a Baker timeout. The Stingers went the opening four minutes without a field goal when East drained a triple to end the drought.

From there, Edmonton dominated the remainder of the quarter. The Stingers finished the frame on a 19-4 run to take a three-point lead into the second.

After a quarter defined by big runs, the second was more tightly contested with Edmonton getting into foul trouble early. Creek and East showcased their capabilities, duelling throughout the quarter.

Back-to-back buckets from Creek late in the half regained the lead for the Bandits and Vancouver headed into the locker room with a 48-46 advantage.

East finished the first half with 17 points, while Creek was close behind with 16.

Creek’s playmaking helped Vancouver maintain its lead early in the third. A transition three from Mangas gave the Bandits their biggest lead of the quarter and forced the Stingers into a timeout.

Mangas stayed hot out of the timeout and buried another trifecta. A contact finish from Curtis Hollis added to the run and Vancouver carried a 77-65 lead into the fourth despite a late push from Edmonton.

Lindsey started the final frame on fire with back-to-back threes, cutting the deficit to six points. Unfortunately for the Stingers, Mangas stayed just as hot.

The Indiana native connected on a pair of and-one trifectas before Creek joined the action with a three of his own. The Stingers closed the gap slightly before Target Score Time, but Vancouver headed into the final stretch ahead 14 with their sights on the 103-point mark.

Lindsey almost single-handedly pulled the Stingers back into the game with 10 points in Target Score Time, but the duo of Creek and Mangas were steady for the Bandits.

Creek scored Vancouver’s first five points of Target Time with a killer dropstep and a contested three. Meanwhile, Mangas netted the final five points with a pair at the charity stripe and a catch-and-shoot three to ice it.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600586

Full Game Highlights | Bandits at Winnipeg Sea Bears (05/24/2025)

Thu, 29 May 2025 17:03:33 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on May 28th, 2025.

Undefeated Bandits Down Sea Bears to Extend Season-Opening Win Streak

Thu, 29 May 2025 03:08:39 GMT

It wasn’t pretty, but the Vancouver Bandits (4-0) remained undefeated all the same.

A 100-89 road win over the Winnipeg Sea Bears (1-3) on Wednesday night was the latest victory for the CEBL-leading squad, one which they earned after rallying from down 13 in the first half.

Spearheading Vancouver’s fourth-consecutive double-digit win was yet again the three-headed monster of Kyle Mangas (game-high 27 points), Mitch Creek (23 points and nine assists) and Tyrese Samuel (16 points on 7-of-9 shooting). The trio proved why they all rank within the top 10 for scoring in the league this season as they combined to account for 66 per cent of the Bandits offensive production on the night.

Meanwhile, MiKyle Mcintosh chipped in 11 points, five rebounds and two steals in his 15 minutes off the bench.

On the other side, Tevian Jones led the Sea Bears with his team-high 23 points, six assists and five steals. The import guard struggled efficiency-wise, however, as he shot just 6-of-17 from the field and went 4-of-14 from distance — the only Sea Bears starter to finish with a negative plus-minus (minus-15).

Jaylin Williams finished with 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting, while Terry Roberts and Alex Campbell put up 16 and 11 points to round of Winnipeg’s double-digit scorers.

“Credit to Vancouver, they’re a good team, but everything we could control, we didn’t,” Campbell said following the Sea Bears’ third-consecutive loss. “Energy, effort, second chance plays … those compiled.”

They say three-pointers are the great equalizer, and Winnipeg proved that point early on Wednesday, using the long-ball to punch first against the league’s hottest team. The Sea Bears opened the game with an 11-4 run that was sparked by a 3-of-4 shooting start from beyond the arc.

The trio of makes from Jones, Williams and Campbell were an encouraging change as Winnipeg entered the night last in the CEBL in three-point percentage (24.8) despite ranking second in attempts per game (36.3). They ended up hitting 4-of-8 triples in the opening frame to carve out a 29-23 lead after 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, Vancouver did itself no favours early, uncharacteristically turning the ball over seven times through the first quarter – a number that was already more than half its usual average per game (12.3) that ranked second-lowest in the CEBL.

Had it not been for the Bandits giving up 21 points off their many first-half turnovers, they may have avoided their first victory of less than at least 30 points.

“I thought we were asleep at the wheel in the first half,” Vancouver head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said of his team’s sloppy start. “There was this aura of nonchalance.”

Neither of those early trends lasted, however, as the Sea Bears hot shooting cooled off — finishing 10-of-38 (26 per cent) — and the Bandits limited them to just eight points off giveaways the rest of the way.

Those changes allowed the league’s top offence to get to work as Vancouver went on a 21-4 run between the end of the second quarter and start of the third, taking their first lead of the ball game after trailing by as many as 13 points in the first half and facing a 48-45 deficit at the break.

And the Bandits held onto that momentum throughout the frame largely thanks to Mangas who caught fire. The import guard went a 6-of-7 from the field for 15 points in the third as Vancouver outscored Winnipeg 34-11 in the third and ended the frame on a 17-0 run as they broke open the largest lead of the game.

The Sea Bears did show some resilience in the final frame, cutting a 79-59 deficit entering the fourth down as low as seven points during Target Score time.

“For the majority of the game, there were a lot of positives,” Winnipeg head coach and general manager Mike Taylor said post-game. “But that third quarter, we got sped up a little bit, made poor decisions … for the majority of the game we made strides but we weren’t consistent enough and that stretch came back to haunt us.”

Vancouver kept Winnipeg at arm’s length however, thanks to timely offence by its leading scorers. A dunk from Samuel stopped an 8-0 Sea Bears run and then Mangas finished things by hitting back-to-back triples — the final two of his five makes from distance on the night.

“That was really good,” Julius said on his team facing some adversity. “We got punched in the mouth in the first half and I thought that response was really good in the third quarter.”

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600579

Up next

The Bandits return on Friday as they’ll visit the Edmonton Stingers (1-3) for the second of four matchups this season. It’ll be a swift rematch following last Saturday’s contest in which Vancouver picked up a dominant 109-79 win.

Roster Update: Wednesday, May 28 at Winnipeg

Wed, 28 May 2025 21:54:40 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster updates in advance of its Wednesday, May 28 game on the road against the Winnipeg Sea Bears at 5:00 p.m. PT

G Duane Notice and G Sam Maillet have been removed from the club's injured list and will be available on today's game day roster.

G Mike Nuga has been removed from the club's Suspended List, after concluding prior overseas basketball commitments, and will be available on today's game day roster.

G Tristan Jass (lower body) did not travel with the team and is ruled out for today's game.

Bandits Rout Stingers for Third Straight Win to Open Season

Sun, 25 May 2025 06:22:19 GMT

A well-oiled machine continues to hum along in Vancouver.

The Bandits won their third straight game to open the season, routing the Edmonton Stingers 109-79 on Saturday at Langley Events Centre.

Vancouver (3-0) had already kicked off its campaign with 40- and 37-point blowouts prior to its latest 30-point romp.

Now, the Bandits have scored 107 more points than their opponents — and their players have twice set franchise scoring records, with Mitch Creek’s 36 points matching the mark Tyrese Samuel established just last week.

Head coach Kyle Julius said his group is among the best he’s ever worked with.

“These guys are just great guys. Every time I come in the gym, they’re there early, they stay late, they care. … They allow you to push them and they allow you to coach them and they’re just great kids. The whole group of them is really high character,” Julius said.

Vancouver led 100-70 heading into Target Score Time, and while Edmonton (1-3) showed some fight, the Bandits made relatively quick work of their West rival.

Rookie Kyle Mangas capped the victory with a pair of three-pointers.

Julius added that the dominant start to the season is a result of the synergy between his coaching style and his players.

“I really need guys to genuinely care about this like it’s life and death. That’s what it is for me. In this business, I lose five games in a row, I could be fired, and so I approach every possession with that passion. When I have players that care about it like that … that’s kinda like the core root to this whole thing,” he said.\

Creek, who burst onto the CEBL scene last season when he averaged 26 points per game and led Vancouver to the Finals, enjoyed a breakout night offensively.

The big Aussie’s 36 points represented a season- and game-high, and he also added seven rebounds and five assists.

“It’s a bunch of very, very talented, unselfish selfish individuals at the right time,” Creek said of the team’s early success. “Three days ago, I didn’t have a big game but maybe my impact was just as impactful as it was tonight. Just because I put some points on the board doesn’t mean that’s the reason that we won.”

Mangas, 26, poured in 23 points while shooting seven-for-12 from beyond the arc, Canadian big man Tyrese Samuel added 17 points and point guard Shamar Givance had five points and 15 assists.

Creek said Julius recently shared a video with him that resonated about this Bandits team.

“It was an NHL player who said, ‘When you walk in the locker room and don’t know who the best player is, that’s when you know you have a championship-calibre team,’ and that’s what we have right now and it’s really fun playing on a team like that,” Creek said.

Stingers head coach Jordan Baker said the Bandits’ depth of scoring options makes them difficult to contain.

“You gotta give credit to Vancouver. They played well, they shot the ball well, they executed well and we did basically the opposite,” he said.

For Edmonton, Cameron McGriff led the way with 18 points and six rebounds off the bench while Sean East II added 16 points, three assists and three steals.

Edmonton became the second team in CEBL history to score 10,000 points (including playoffs) when Nick Hornsby – the team’s active all-time scoring leader – converted an and-one in the second quarter.

But Hornsby said the team needs to go back to the drawing board following the 30-point defeat.

“I feel like a lot of the stuff was on us. Like I said, they’re a good team, they run their plays well, they’re physical and do the things they need to do to win,” Hornsby said.

The Bandits held an early 22-10 lead, but the Stingers fought back to narrow their deficit to 24-20 after the first quarter. Vancouver fought back to take a 51-40 advantage into halftime.

The Bandits extended their lead to 80-63 following the third quarter, and the blowout was on.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Edmonton Stingers (05/24/2025)

Sun, 25 May 2025 04:47:06 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Edmonton Stingers on May 24th, 2025.

Vancouver Bandits Games to Be Broadcast in Punjabi on Connect FM for the 2025 Season

Fri, 23 May 2025 22:39:10 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits and Connect FM are proud to announce the continuation of their groundbreaking partnership to broadcast select 2025 Bandits home games in Punjabi, marking the second straight season of inclusive, community-driven basketball storytelling on air.

In 2024, the Bandits and Connect FM made history by becoming the first team in Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) history to deliver a live Punjabi radio broadcast on June 1, 2024. This milestone moment resonated with fans across the Lower Mainland and the global South Asian diaspora, creating space for representation, access, and cultural celebration through basketball.

"As a radio platform, Connect FM has always focused on organizing and partnering with initiatives that involve projects benefitting our community. Our partnership with the Vancouver Bandits is purely based on the idea of offering something that has never been done before, “ said Tejinder Singh, director - strategy & operations of Connect Media Network. Connect FM's live broadcast of CEBL games in Punjabi was well received by our audience in 2024. This year, listeners will have a great experience of catching the game updates live in Punjabi language again."

Bringing the action will be play-by-play broadcaster Jagraj Lalli and analyst Jarman Chahal, who together bring experience from Hockey Night In Canada: Punjabi Edition, the BC Hockey League as well as several broadcasting stints with various leagues and community events throughout the Lower Mainland region.

Connect FM will provide live Punjabi commentary for eight marquee Bandits home games this season. Fans can tune in across multiple platforms:

Online: connectfm.ca → Click Listen LIVE Surrey FM 91.5
App: Connect FM Canada (available via App Store & Google Play)
Radio: 91.5 FM in Surrey and surrounding areas

2025 Punjabi Radio Broadcast Schedule on Connect FM:

Saturday, May 24 – vs. Edmonton Stingers | 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 1 – vs. Calgary Surge | 5:00 PM
Saturday, June 14 – vs. Montreal Alliance | 7:00 PM
Friday, June 20 – vs. Winnipeg Sea Bears ( South Asian Heritage Night ) | 7:00 PM
Saturday, June 28 – vs. Saskatchewan Rattlers | 7:00 PM
Sunday, July 6 – vs. Brampton Honey Badgers | 5:00 PM
Sunday, July 20 – vs. Edmonton Stingers | 5:00 PM
Sunday, August 3 – vs. Winnipeg Sea Bears | 5:00 PM

“The return of our Punjabi radio broadcast is a meaningful step in our continued commitment to inclusion,” said Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits team president. “This partnership with Connect FM not only brings the game to Punjabi-speaking fans but also celebrates the vibrant South Asian community that is a proud part of our team’s identity and culture. Punjabi will not be the only language we explore for Vancouver Bandits live stream and radio broadcasts.”

With passionate commentary, cultural connection, and an electric basketball atmosphere, the 2025 Punjabi broadcasts will deliver a one-of-a-kind game experience to homes, cars, and earbuds across British Columbia and beyond.

Vancouver Bandits Release Mikyle Malabuyoc

Fri, 23 May 2025 18:35:19 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced that guard Mikyle Malabuyoc has been released from the club.

Malabuyoc, a current university student-athlete who was signed to a Developmental Player contact, has transferred from Western Ontario to NCAA school Simon Fraser University and will be ineligible to play in the CEBL.

Malabuyoc appeared in the Bandits' season opener on May 15 in Saskatchewan and suited up in the club's May 8 pre-season game. The Bandits wish Mikyle all the best in his studies and basketball endeavours.

Bandits rout River Lions in rematch of 2024 CEBL Final

Fri, 23 May 2025 05:49:46 GMT

While it wasn’t with a title on the line this time, Vancouver still managed to exact a measure of revenge on Thursday.

The Bandits beat the defending champion River Lions 109-72 at the Langley Events Centre, flipping the script in a rematch of last year’s final while handing Niagara its first loss of the season.

Leading Vancouver (2-0) to a home-opening win was Kyle Mangas, who finished with a game-high 28 points on 5-of-9 shooting from distance. It was an all-around effort for the import guard as he also chipped in 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.

Curtis Hollis also did his part for the Bandits as he racked up 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting off the pine, while Tyrese Samuel notched his second consecutive double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds to go with a game-high four blocks.

“We had a bit of a sluggish start, but from there it was off to the races,” Mangas said during his on-court interview post-game. “It could be anyone’s night … you never know who it’s gonna be, we have a lot of weapons.”

On the other side, Niagara (2-1) was helmed by Guillaume Boucard, who put up his own double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. The 2019 Canadian Player of the Year made a bit of history as well, his lone steal of the contest bringing him to 100 all-time for his CEBL career (regular season + playoffs). Boucard joined Khalil Ahmad as the only players in league history to reach that milestone. The forward, who previously spent three seasons in Niagara (2019-2021), re-joined the River Lions this year after spending 2024 with his hometown Montreal Alliance.

“Guillaume is just a complete competitor,” Niagara head coach Victor Raso said. “He defends … you always know you’re going to get 100 per cent from Guillaume, he’s about as plug and play as you can find in this league.”

Right behind Boucard was Antonio Davis Jr., who added 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting off the bench, while River Lions captain Kimbal Mackenzie and Keyshawn Bryant chipped in 11 points each.

What was shaping up as a tightly-contested affair after 10 minutes — the River Lions led 20-17 at the end of the first — quickly broke open in the second quarter thanks to a pair of 7-0 Bandits runs. Vancouver ended up outsourcing Niagara 30-17 in the frame and went into halftime with the game’s first double-digit lead, up 47-37.

The Bandits' first-half success came in part thanks to their dominance on the glass, racking up a 31-18 rebounding edge at the break while grabbing 15 offensive boards (plus-eight) for 14 second-chance points. They finished the game plus-15 for total rebounds (52-37) and doubled the River Lions' production on the offensive glass (18-9).

“Second chances on rebounds kind of changed the momentum,” Boucard said after the game. “We’ve still got to rebound at a championship level … we’ve still got to be physical and set a standard for our defence. Rebounding has been our Achilles (heel) these last three games.”

And Vancouver’s lead only grew once action resumed, one-upping its dominance in the second quarter by outscoring Niagara 33-14 in the third.

Mangas had his fingerprints all over the victory-sealing stretch as he opened the second half by nailing three consecutive triples as part of a 13-3 Bandits run. He finished the frame with 14 points as his team extended their lead to 80-51.

“I just try to stay aggressive at all times,” Mangas said while reflecting on his strong third quarter and first-career CEBL double-double. “I know I’m a good shooter, I put in the work … always try to stay aggressive, because I know that can really help our team.”

Vancouver pushed that lead as high as 39 points throughout the final frame, eventually carrying a 99-65 lead into Target Score time. From there, it was Samuel who eventually put the game to bed, sealing the win with a dunk off a no-look bounce pass from Shamar Givance, who finished with 10 assists.

The Bandits couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season, picking up back-to-back dominant victories. They opened their 2025 campaign with a record-setting 40-point win over the Saskatchewan Rattlers last week, only to follow that up with an equally impressive 37-point rout of the defending champs.

And while the rosters may not have been all that similar to last year’s title game, make no mistake, it was a rematch Vancouver took personally.

“We’ve been hearing about Niagara and just the battle the Bandits had last year with (the River Lions), so we had a chip on our shoulders tonight,” Mangas said.

Thursday’s victory at the Langley Events Centre in front of 3,987 fans in attendance also continued a trend of success in that building dating back to 2024. The Bandits started a perfect 6-0 in Vancouver last season and eventually finished with a West-leading 9-1 home record.

“I thought it was electric tonight,” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julis said post-game. “I thought that crowd was fantastic, it looked great, it sounded great, they were really connected to our players.”

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Niagara (05/22/2025)

Fri, 23 May 2025 04:47:54 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Niagara River Lions on May 22nd, 2025

Vancouver Bandits Sign MiKyle McIntosh

Wed, 21 May 2025 18:26:22 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced that 6-foot-7 Canadian guard MiKyle McIntosh has signed with the club for the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

McIntosh most recently played with the Atlanta Hawks’ NBA G League affiliate, College Park Skyhawks, during the 2023-24 season, when he appeared in 22 games and averaged 5.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 18.1 minutes of action per game.

No stranger to the CEBL, McIntosh was the first-ever player signed to the Hamilton Honey Badgers (now known as the Brampton Honey Badgers), having been selected fifth overall in the 2019 CEBL Entry Draft and appearing in two games during the league’s inaugural season in that same year.

The Toronto, Ont. product has enjoyed a six-year pro career which has featured stops in South Korea, Belgium, France, Australia and Japan. His career also included two stints in the NBA Summer League with the Portland Trail Blazers (2018) and Indiana Pacers (2019).

A member of the Illinois State men’s basketball team for three seasons from 2014-17 before transferring to Oregon in his senior year in 2017-18, he earned Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference in 2017 during his time with the Redbirds.

Internationally, McIntosh has represented Team Canada at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers and 2013 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup.

In a corresponding move, forward Majok Gum and forward Grant Shephard have been moved from the active roster and assigned as Practice Players; the club has the option to re-activate Practice Players and place them on the active roster later in the 2025 season.

Vancouver Bandits Release Glen Yang

Tue, 20 May 2025 01:21:17 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Monday that the team has released G Glen Yang in order for him to pursue future playing opportunities.

Yang appeared in the Bandits' season opener on May 15 in Saskatchewan and suited up in both of the club's pre-season games. The Burnaby, B.C.-born product and Mount Royal University alum has appeared in 41 career CEBL games both with the Bandits (2024, 2025) and the Winnipeg Sea Bears (2023).

Vancouver’s next home game is Thursday, May 22 when the Niagara River Lions visit Langley Events Centre. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT. Single game tickets for the Home Opener presented by BC Building Trades are available at this link .

Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation and Next Day Access ink partnership

Fri, 16 May 2025 21:20:35 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits and Next Day Access are proud to announce a new partnership that focuses community investment and support for youth development.

As part of the new agreement, Next Day Access will serve as a supporting partner of the Community Champion program, which provides tickets to not-for-profit and charitable organizations in the Lower Mainland, programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters and Canucks Autism Network.

“At Next Day Access, we are both proud and excited to partner with the Vancouver Bandits. With a passion for helping others and providing accessibility to those in need, it brings us great pleasure to work with the bandits to provide tickets to kids across our community, “ said Hao Isley, co-owner of Next Day Access. “This partnership is a great way to continue living our core value of being responsible members of our communities and serving others.”

Next Day Access will also sponsor an in-game activation that features an upgrade from the bowl seating to the Courtside Club for four fans at each Vancouver Bandits regular season home game during the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

“Next Day Access has been an incredible partner to the team so far, and we’re thrilled to partner on our Community Champion program which truly aligns with their values,” said Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits. “Their support across the Lower Mainland helps us grow the game of basketball by bringing youth to Bandits games who may otherwise not be able to go without the support of Next Day Access.”

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Saskatchewan (05/15/2025)

Fri, 16 May 2025 06:18:25 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Saskatchewan Rattlers on May 15, 2025.

Vancouver Bandits Cruise Past Rattlers with 40-point Win in Opener

Fri, 16 May 2025 06:15:28 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits opened the season with a record-setting 105-65 win over the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Thursday (May 15).

The Bandits spoiled the Rattlers’ home opener with a convincing performance that saw the defending Western Conference champs set a team record for margin of victory.

Transition offence, sound defence and forceful low-post play fueled the 40-point win for Vancouver, eclipsing its previous win-margin record – a 37-point win over Ottawa last June.

Big man Tyrese Samuel highlighted the post-play for the Bandits, scoring another team-record 36 points in the opener.

Samuel grew familiar with the SaskTel Centre rims throughout the game with dunk after dunk, saying farewell with the Target-Score winning slam.

“I didn't really know how [many] points I actually had. I really just had a bunch of layups and dunks and putbacks, so it didn't seem like I had that much. But hey, I'm happy,” Samuel said.

The former Florida Gator collected 12 rebounds as well to secure the double-double in his CEBL debut.

Returning Aussie big man Mitch Creek added 21 points for the Bandits, while newcomer Izaiah Brockington chipped in 19.

Samuel says putting in work with Creek before the season allowed the duo to excel on Thursday.

“He's a great guy. He has experience playing in the NBA, playing overseas, so he just has helped me a lot since I’ve been here,” he said.

The Bandits shot 55 per cent from the field in the win, while Saskatchewan finished 35 per cent from the field and 22 per cent from three. Jamir Chaplin led the Rattlers’ attack with 17 points, followed by Nate Pierre-Louis with 16.

Chaplin said the game was a learning experience and the team can build on its offensive performance.

“It was the defence that we slacked on today. I think we moved the ball pretty well. Shots weren't going in for most of us, but I think those are easy [to] fix,” he said.

Despite the loss, Saskatchewan head coach Eric Magdanz says it’s a long season.

“This is just one game. We're gonna learn from this. We've got a week to prepare for our next game, and we're gonna take advantage,” Magdanz said.

“We've got a lot of things to improve on. I'm happy with how we battled at the end, but we've got to increase our execution, and we've got to do a better job of sharing the basketball.”

Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius was pleased with the togetherness but echoed his peer about the long road ahead.

“We want to stay humble. It's the first game. In the CEBL, if you put any stock into the first game, I think you're crazy,” Julius said.

To open the game, the Bandits feasted on the fast break and in the paint, forcing two Rattlers timeouts and leading 29-18 after one. Brockington, a 25-year-old guard with NBA experience, showed off his abilities as a slasher in the first quarter with multiple finishes at the rim.

Vancouver built on its lead by hunting low-post mismatches early in the second quarter, with Creek and Samuel fuelling a 13-1 run.

Saskatchewan trailed by as many as 23 in the first half before trimming the deficit to 52-34 at halftime. The Bandits shot 80 per cent from inside the arc in the opening 20 minutes.

The frontcourt duo of Creek and Samuel continued to attack the rim in the third. Vancouver kept its foot on the gas throughout the second half and led by 40 heading into Target Score Time.

The Rattlers showed fight during the final stretch, but Samuel’s record-breaking dunk ended the contest.

Vancouver and Saskatchewan will become well-acquainted this season. The teams will meet three more times, including their next matchup on June 8 in Saskatoon.

Box Score

https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600564

Up next for both teams

The Bandits return to B.C. for their home opener against the defending champion Niagara River Lions on May 22 in a rematch of last year’s final. Meanwhile, the Rattlers host the 0-1 Edmonton Stingers the same evening.

Next CEBL action

Niagara kicks off its title defence against the 1-0 Calgary Surge at the Meridian Centre tomorrow (May 16). For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games .

Roster Update: Thursday, May 15 at Saskatchewan

Thu, 15 May 2025 23:29:37 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced today the following roster updates in advance of its season opener on Thursday, May 15 on the road against the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

G Duane Notice (lower body), G Tristan Jass (lower body) and F Sam Maillet (upper body) did not travel with team and are ruled out for today’s game.

F James Karnik, G Shamar Givance and G Mike Nuga have been placed on the club’s Suspended List, denoting a late arrival to the Bandits’ roster, and will join the team upon the conclusion of their overseas basketball commitments.

Australian Standout Forward Mitch Creek Returns to the Bandits

Fri, 09 May 2025 23:41:35 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that veteran Australian forward Mitch Creek will return to BC’s professional basketball team, re-signing with the club for the upcoming 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

The 6-foot-5 import was brought on as a late-season addition on July 7, 2024 and made an immediate impact. In 2024, he averaged an impressive 25.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 50 per cent shooting in six regular season appearances. Leading by example, Creek continued his production into the postseason where he recorded a 26 point, 13 rebound double-double in the CEBL Championship game on August 11, 2024 against the Niagara River Lions.

Quickly becoming a fan-favourite during his short time in Vancouver, Creek holds three of the five highest scoring games in Bandits history, notching 31 points on both July 13, 2024 and July 18, 2024 and achieving a season-high 33 points against Brampton on July 25, 2024.

A veteran of 14 professional seasons, Creek appeared in five NBA regular season games during the 2018-19 season. Splitting time between the Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves, he averaged 4.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game on 50 per cent shooting from the field across both clubs.

Hailing from Horsham, Victoria, Creek is a notable figure in the Australian basketball scene. He has been instrumental in the success of the Australian men’s national basketball team, nicknamed the Boomers, with whom he won the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup and competed in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

In addition to his time with Australia’s national team, Creek suited up in 340 games in the country’s National Basketball League (NBL), which is widely regarded as one of the top 10 professional basketball leagues in the world. Creek was named All-NBL First Team in 2023, the All Second Team in 2018, 2021 and 2022 and served as captain for both the Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Outside of Australia, Creek has taken his talents around the world playing in the German Bundesliga (Göttingen, 2017-18), the NBA G League (Long Island Nets, 2018-19), the Chinese Basketball Association (Xinjiang Flying Tigers, 2023-24), Puerto Rico (2022-24) and most recently in the 2024-25 season with Trabzonspor of the Turkish Basketball League where he is averaging 32.7 minutes, 20.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game on 59 per cent shooting from field goal range.

Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link .

The Bandits tip-off the 2025 CEBL campaign on Thursday, May 15 when the club hits the road to take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Fans will have their first chance to watch the club at home on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver hosts the Niagara River Lions in a rematch of the 2024 CEBL Final. Vancouver will play a total of 12 regular season home games in 2025 between Thursday, May 22 and Sunday, August 3. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road in Ottawa on Sunday, August 10 at 12 p.m. PT.

All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on TSN+, as well as the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ , and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices).

Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2025 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca . A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Announce 2025 Training Camp Roster

Wed, 07 May 2025 01:05:02 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday its training camp roster for its seventh season of professional basketball, which tips off on Thursday, May 15 when the club travels to Saskatoon, Sask. to face the Saskatchewan Rattlers. The Bandits hit the court at home for the first time on Thursday, May 22 when they host the Niagara River Lions at Langley Events Centre in a rematch of the 2024 CEBL Final.

New to the Bandits’ season is an expanded slate of pre-season games, all at Langley Events Centre. The sold-out, intrasquad School Day Game returns for a fourth consecutive year, taking place on Thursday, May 8 at 11:00 a.m. PT. A second pre-season game will be included on Saturday, May 10 with the Bandits facing the Sikh Warriors, competitors at the 2025 edition of ESPN’s The Basketball Tournament, tipping off at 5:00 p.m. PT. Tickets are available at this link , with all proceeds benefitting the Bandits Community Foundation.

Vancouver’s 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) training camp roster features 15 athletes; including 11 Canadians, 6 British Columbians, four Americans and two CEBL Development Athletes.

The upcoming summer campaign will be head coach and general manager Kyle Julius’ sixth season with the club. Julius coached the Bandits to a CEBL championship finals berths in 2020 and 2024 and the franchise has qualified for the CEBL postseason in each of the past five consecutive years.

The Bandits’ training camp roster is highlighted by popular content creator, influencer, and viral social media sensation Tristan Jass. Known for his jaw-dropping ball-handling skills and incredible trick shots, Jass’ signing with the team in April marked his first professional basketball contract.

The Bandits are welcoming back some familiar faces, with returning players from its 2024 roster including CEBL veterans Duane Notice, Glen Yang and James Karnik, along with Curtis Hollis and reigning U SPORTS Championship MVP Sam Maillet.

Former New Orleans Pelican Izaiah Brockington, University of Florida alum and Canadian big man Tyrese Samuel, and San Antonio Spurs’ G League starter Kyle Mangas join the Bandits as newcomers to the league and adding high-level experience. Shamar Givance, Mike Nuga and Grant Shephard bring speed, size and prior CEBL experience to the roster.

The Bandits selected homegrown players Mikyle Malabuyoc (Western Ontario) and David Mutabazi (Trinity Western) with the No. 11 and No. 30 overall picks in the 2025 CEBL Draft. Also representing local talent is Surrey, B.C.’s Majok Gum, who excelled at Laurier University at Waterloo, Ont. before playing his first season of professional basketball overseas in Germany in 2024-25.

Vancouver Bandits Sign Surrey Product Majok Gum

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:36:25 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Monday that the club has signed six-foot-nine forward Majok Gum to a Standard Player Contract for the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League season and have added him to its 2025 Training Camp Roster.

Hailing from Surrey, B.C., Gum played his entire five-year university career with the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in Waterloo, Ont. In 117 games (41 starts), he averaged 4.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.6 blocks while shooting 46.5 per cent from the field. His 52 career blocks ranked him sixth all time in Laurier program history.

The 2024-25 season marked Gum’s first in professional basketball. He suited up in 22 games for Basket Schwelm in Germany’s Bundesliga ProB, where he put up averages of 7.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks with 62.1 per cent field shooting.

An alumnus of Byrne Creek Secondary in Burnaby, B.C., Gum helped lead the Bulldogs to a second place finish at the 2018 BC 3A Boys Basketball Provincial Championship, while also earning Best Defensive Player honours at the tournament.

The Bandits open 2025 Training Camp at Langley Events Centreon Tuesday, May 6, followed by pre-season games on Thursday, May 8 and Saturday, May 10.

Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Sign American Guard Curtis Hollis

Sun, 04 May 2025 19:00:14 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced the signing of 6-foot-6 guard Curtis Hollis for the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre.

Hailing from Arlington, Tex., Hollis returns to the CEBL after appearing in six games during the 2024 campaign, where he averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists in 22.0 minutes played.

Hollis made his Bandits debut on June 7, 2024, his lone appearance with the club,setting a game-high 21 points, six rebounds and five steals against the Calgary Surge. Hollis then signed with the Montréal Alliance where he suited in five additional games to close out the season.

“I am super excited and thankful to be back in Vancouver to get the chance to play high level basketball with great people and compete to win a championship; I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” said Hollis. “I take it very seriously that Kyle and the organization believes in me as a big contributor and I am more than ready to get started. I can’t wait to see all the great fans back in Langley.”

Most recently, Hollis played overseas during the 2024-25 season with Helsinki Seagulls in Finland’s Korisliiga, posting averages of 16.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 27.6 minutes in 38 games played. His global career also includes stops in South Africa, the Dominican Republic, the Central African Republic, Germany and NBA G League training camp invites with the Detroit Pistons’ affiliate, Motor City Cruise (2022), and Golden State Warriors’ affiliate, Santa Cruz Warriors (2021).

Hollis played post-secondary basketball at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas where he helped lead the Blue Dragons to a Round of 16 appearance at the 2018 NJCAA DI men’s basketball championship. In his lone collegiate season, he averaged 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 34 games played.

Tyler Mazereeuw Named President of Canadian Elite Basketball League

Thu, 01 May 2025 20:08:05 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday the appointment of Tyler “Ty” Mazereeuw, a distinguished business leader and established executive in the Canadian sports sector, as the league’s first-ever President.

Mazereeuw brings over 20 years of dynamic experience focused on innovation and revenue growth in the sports and entertainment industry. Joining the CEBL’s executive team at a pivotal stage in the league’s growth, Mazereeuw will bring a collaborative mindset to driving key strategic initiatives, with a focus on leading and strengthening the league’s sales and marketing efforts to elevate its commercial presence.

“Securing someone of Tyler’s caliber with his proven experience and track record is a significant achievement for the CEBL,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner & Co-Founder of the CEBL. “His extensive involvement with top-tier Canadian sports and entertainment brands throughout his career provides invaluable insights and successes that will greatly benefit our league as we pursue our rapid growth strategy in Canada and internationally.”

Mazereeuw has built numerous high-impact partnerships between Canada’s leading properties and brands across the sports and entertainment landscape. He has held senior roles with several prominent organizations, including the Canadian Football League (CFL), IMG, and Molson Sports & Entertainment.

“The CEBL has rapidly established itself as a significant force in Canadian sports,” said Mazereeuw. “I am grateful for the opportunity to join at such a pivotal stage in its evolution and to serve our growing and passionate fan base. As a dynamic league fueled by entrepreneurial energy, the CEBL is well-positioned to meet the changing landscape of sports and the evolving nature of fandom. I look forward to working in concert with our owners, teams, players and partners to align our efforts, build on the league’s momentum, and help advance the CEBL’s position as a premier sports and entertainment property.”

Recognized as a thought leader and named one of Canada’s Top 5 Under 40 in Sports Business, Mazereeuw brings a strategic and innovative approach to commercial growth, business development, and building lasting relationships with key stakeholders. Over a 12-year career with the CFL, he held progressively senior leadership roles, most recently serving as Chief Commercial Officer, where he oversaw revenue, marketing, and data strategy across broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing, licensing, brand, and digital platforms.

The seventh season of the CEBL tips off May 11 with a total of 120 regular season games in the 2025 campaign , leading to playoffs that begin August 14. Championship Weekend , which features the league’s top four teams during the regular season vying for the league title, will be held at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, August 22-24.

Season tickets and flex packs are now available league wide with priority seating access and preferred pricing. Ticket information for all CEBL games, including single-game tickets, can be found by visiting cebl.ca/tickets and cebl.ca/cw25/tickets .

Vancouver Bandits and Sentinel Storage Extend Partnership Into 8th Season

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 09:04:01 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced today a two-year partnership extension with Sentinel Storage that expands on the companies’ long-standing relationship and reinforces a shared commitment to youth, sport, and community in British Columbia.

This renewed partnership builds on a foundation that dates back to 2020 with the Bandits Athletic Centre in Abbotsford, where Sentinel Storage played a key role in supporting multiple sport organizations at the grassroots level during the pandemic. Sentinel Storage and the Bandits are deepening their impact through two major initiatives: co-presenting the Bandits' annual School Day Game, and serving as the founding and presenting partner of the First Buckets program by the Bandits Community Foundation.

The School Day Game, set to be held at Langley Events Centre during the Bandits’ 2025 season on May 8th, is a high-energy morning basketball game that invites thousands of elementary and middle school students for an unforgettable field trip experience. The event is designed to inspire youth through sport, while providing educators and students with a unique opportunity to engage with professional basketball in a fun and educational setting.

"At Sentinel Storage, we believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting youth development through sport,” said Jenn Johnson, Director of Operations, Western Canada, Sentinel Storage. “We’re excited to be expanding our partnership with the Bandits to help make basketball more accessible to youth across British Columbia, while also fostering important life skills like teamwork, resilience, and leadership. We’re proud to be a part of this journey and look forward to seeing how we can continue to make a difference in the lives of young athletes in B.C.”

Sentinel Storage has also committed to leading the launch of First Buckets, a flagship initiative of the Bandits Community Foundation. This program delivers basketball starter kits to schools across British Columbia, helping introduce the game to new communities. Each kit includes basketballs, jerseys, and coaching materials, along with life skills curriculum and the potential for a visit from Berry the Bandit, the team’s beloved mascot. The program makes the sport accessible while championing important lessons in teamwork, resilience, and leadership.

“We’re grateful to be partnered with a community-minded organization like Sentinel Storage who also took a chance on us in 2020 when we launched the Bandits Athletic Centre. Since day one with Sentinel Storage it has been evident that they passionately care about the power sport has on supporting youth in British Columbia,” said Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits. “Together, through the Bandits Community Foundation, we are going to provide more basketball for more people across British Columbia with the First Buckets program and impact youth across all four corners of the province.”

The partnership between Sentinel Storage and the Vancouver Bandits is a testament to the impact that strong community-focused collaborations can have. With shared values at the core, this partnership is poised to make a lasting difference—on the court and beyond.

Vancouver Bandits Sign Grant Shephard for 2025 CEBL Season

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:58:21 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has signed 6-foot-10 forward Grant Shephard for its upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

Hailing from Kelowna, B.C., Shephard recently played for Swedish club Jämtland Basket in the Basketligan, the country’s highest division of men’s pro basketball. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 13.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 28.5 minutes in 32 games played while shooting 62 per cent from the field. Prior to Sweden, Shephard also played in Estonia (BC Kalev-Cramo, 2023-24) and Spain (Esguiera Basket, 2023-24).

Shephard established himself as a dominant big man during his U SPORTS career, playing at the University of British Columbia (2017-20) before transferring to Carleton (2021-23). He captured a national championship with the Ravens in 2022-23 while also being named a U SPORTS Final 8 tournament all-star and Ontario University Athletics (OUA) second team all-star.

“Grant has had two great seasons playing overseas since he was last with us. He is one of BC's best big men and I am really looking forward to getting back to work with him,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

This will be Shephard’s third stint with the Bandits and fourth overall in the CEBL. He made his league debut in 2019 with the Bandits as a Development Athlete, including playing in the club’s inaugural game on May 9, 2019, and made subsequent appearances with the Niagara River Lions in 2021 and with the Bandits a second time in 2023. Across three CEBL seasons, Shephard has appeared in a combined 22 games and averaged 8.1 minutes, 2.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.

“I am grateful to be back with the Bandits this season and ready to grind. I can already tell that this summer will be special,” said Shephard.

Prior to finishing his high school career at the prestigious Montverde Academy in Florida, Shephard attended Kelowna Secondary. Shephard helped guide the Owls to a B.C. AAAA provincial championship in 2016 while he took home MVP honours as a junior.

On the international stage, Shephard has represented Canada at both the junior and senior levels. Most notably, he captured the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2017, alongside current Toronto Raptor RJ Barrett, and earned a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation and Headlands Environmental Extend Partnership Through 2028 CEBL Season

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 16:56:12 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced today that Headlands Environmental has signed a three-year extension as an official partner of the club through the 2028 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

The renewed partnership continues Headlands Environmental’s commitment to youth development, community building, and Indigenous reconciliation through basketball and environmental stewardship. A cornerstone of the collaboration is the Indigenous Basketball Collective (IBC) , a long-term initiative powered by the Bandits Community Foundation and supported by Headlands since its inception.

“Headlands Environmental has been a driving force behind the vision and growth of the Indigenous Basketball Collective,” said Dylan Kular, team president of the Vancouver Bandits. “This renewed partnership is a reflection of shared values — using sport as a tool for access, empowerment, and opportunity in Indigenous communities.”

Since 2022, the partnership has helped fund basketball camps for Indigenous youth, officials and coaches, many of whom are attending their first ever organized training sessions led by professional athletes and coaches. In addition, Headlands has played a key role in supporting Court Projects — a program focused on building and revitalizing outdoor basketball courts including in Indigenous communities across British Columbia to create more accessible, safe, and vibrant places to play. Bandits and Headlands worked specifically on the development of an outdoor basketball court in Shxwhá:y Village (near Chilliwack) .

"Headlands Environmental is proud to be a founding partner of the Indigenous Basketball Collective (IBC). As avid basketball fans we believe in the power of sport, and giving back to the communities in which we work,” said Mike Hofer, principal and owner of Headlands Environmental. “We’re very excited to be working with the Vancouver Bandits and with our Indigenous partners to be a part of this exciting initiative and to build on this with future opportunities for youth and community development".

In addition to supporting Court Projects and Indigenous Basketball Collective, Headlands has played a key role in supporting youth from Mission in basketball participation through the Community Champion program. The Community Champion program with Headlands specifically supports Mission groups such as schools, not-for-profits and charitable organizations.

With the 2025 season approaching, the Bandits and Headlands Environmental are excited to expand the reach of the Indigenous Basketball Collective to more communities and continue making sport a sustainable pathway for connection, confidence, and cultural pride.

Vancouver Bandits Re-Sign Guard Glen Yang

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 18:44:03 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has re-signed 6-foot-4 Canadian guard and Hong Kong national team member Glen Yang for its 2025 season in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).

Born in Burnaby, B.C. and splitting time between Hong Kong and Calgary, Alta. in his youth, Yang played five seasons of U SPORTS basketball starring at Mount Royal University from 2014-2019.

“I’m extremely excited to re-join the Bandits and go after a championship after so much success as a team last season,” said Yang. “The fans, support and resources that both the city and team provide are unmatched. In terms of basketball clubs, the Bandits are as professional as it gets.“

The 2025 season will be Yang’s third in the CEBL. Making his league debut in 2023, he started in all 20 games with the Winnipeg Sea Bears during their inaugural season before signing with the Bandits last year where he appeared in 19 regular season games.

“Glen is a tremendous Canadian player in our league. He is the consummate professional and makes everyone around him better,” said head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “I’m really excited about getting back to work with Glen this summer.”

Yang is currently in his fifth season of professional basketball, playing the 2024-25 season with Hong Kong-based club, Eastern, who competed in the East Asia Super League and Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup competitions. During his time in the PBA, he shot a career high 45 per cent from the three-point line while helping his squad reach the Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals.

At the international level, Yang represents Hong Kong. He received his first call up to the national squad during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers this past February, suiting up in games against New Zealand and Chinese Taipei.

Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Sign San Antonio Spurs G League Starter Kyle Mangas

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 18:47:35 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed San Antonio Spurs’ NBA G League starter and the all-time leading scorer in Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) program history, Kyle Mangas.

A 6-foot-4 guard from Warsaw, Ind., Mangas recently completed his second season in the NBA G League appearing in 98 games for both the Indiana Mad Ants, the Indiana Pacers' minor league affiliate, and Austin Spurs, affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs. He averaged 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 34.4 minutes per game during the 2024-25 season and was also selected to the 2024 NBA G League Next Up Game, as part of the NBA’s All-Star Weekend festivities.

“We have been recruiting Kyle for the past two years. He is a beast and a relentless competitor with big time instincts and feel for the game,” said Bandits head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. “He produces everywhere he goes and he will enhance our culture this summer.”

In addition to his time in the NBA G League, Mangas also suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024 NBA Summer League and also played overseas in Lithuania (BC Siauliai, 2022-23) and the Czech Republic (USK Praha, 2021-22).

“I’m incredibly excited to join the Bandits this summer and represent the city of Vancouver,” said Mangas. “The organization has a strong culture and a passionate fan base; I look forward to helping this team compete for a championship.”

Mangas played post-secondary basketball at Indiana Wesleyan University where he is the school’s all-time leading scorer and cemented himself as a star. In all four seasons with the Wildcats, he was named Crossroads League Player of the Year and earned NAIA DII All-American honours. Additionally, he helped lead IWU to an NAIA DII championship in 2017-18 where he was named tournament MVP. Rounding out his accolades, he was named NAIA National Player of the Year during his senior year in 2020-21.

Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits to host Preseason Charity Game on May 10

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 23:22:50 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C. , April 18th, 2025 – The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Friday that the club will host a charitable preseason game Saturday, May 10 against the Sikh Warriors from The Basketball Tournament (TBT) at Langley Events Centre. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. PT.

This exclusive matchup will offer fans their first opportunity to see the 2025 Vancouver Bandits squad, featuring newly signed player Tristan Jass, as the club gears up for its highly anticipated seventh season in the CEBL. The popular basketball content creator, influencer, and viral social media sensation signed his first professional contract with the Bandits on April 17.

Proceeds from the game will benefit the Bandits Community Foundation , which uses basketball to empower youth across British Columbia through grassroots programs, life skills education, and expanded access to the sport.

“This game is more than a preseason tilt, it is a celebration of our mission to grow the game and give back to communities across B.C.,” said Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits team president. “We are proud to welcome the Sikh Warriors to LEC and shine a light on the impact of our foundation.”

The Sikh Warriors are competing in the 2025 edition of The Basketball Tournament, a high-stakes U.S.-based summer tournament broadcast on ESPN that showcases top talent from around the world. The May 10 contest will serve as a key tune-up for both squads and a unique opportunity for fans to witness international flair and Canadian professional basketball.

The Warriors roster is highlighted by numerous high-calibre players and homegrown talent that includes:

Vick Toor – A 6-foot-1 guard and University of the Fraser Valley alumnus
Bikram Gill – A 6-foot-9 forward, product of Ball State University and former Team Canada 3x3 representative
Amaan Sandhu – A 7-foot-1 centre from Manhattan College and former member of India men's national basketball team

Tickets are available now at thebandits.ca/tickets . Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early for giveaways, a special pre-game ceremony, and to celebrate a night of culture, community, and hoops for a cause.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Sign Renowned Basketball Content Creator Tristan Jass

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 17:52:55 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that the club has signed popular basketball content creator, influencer, and viral social media sensation Tristan Jass.

Known for his jaw-dropping ball-handling skills and incredible trick shots, Jass previously joined the CEBL’s Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2024 for a workout through his partnership with Electrolit, the league’s official hydration sponsor. This summer, he will take the next step in his athletic career as he competes at the professional level in Vancouver.

“Tristan has clearly developed a skill set worthy of competing with pros at a high level,” said Bandits head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. “We are all really excited to see what he can do in our system with our guys.”

The Kenosha, Wis. native has amassed millions of followers on social media platforms like YouTube (5.62 million), TikTok (3.1 million) and Instagram (2.4 million) with his eye-catching basketball content, becoming one of the most influential figures in that space in the last five years. The Wasserman Creators client and Electrolit athlete has built a strong following by engaging with fans, collaborating with influencers and celebrities, and creating viral videos that have been featured on ESPN and other televised programs.

Jass most recently suited up in the 2024 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, posting 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while playing alongside and against star professional athletes like the NFL’s Micah Parsons, Puka Nacua, and CJ Stroud.

“I started with a basketball, a camera, and a dream. From making basketball videos on YouTube to joining a professional basketball team—I am grateful and blessed for this opportunity,” said Jass. “I can’t wait to get to Vancouver to join the Bandits and bring some good vibes to the city. Let’s get to work!”

Jass will join the Bandits when they open training camp on May 6. The first opportunity for the public to see Jass play in a game will be Vancouver’s preseason game in partnership with the Bandits Community Foundation on Saturday, May 10 at 5:00 p.m. PT at Langley Events Centre. Tickets are available for purchase at this link .

Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link .

The Bandits tip-off the 2025 CEBL regular season campaign on Thursday, May 15 when the club hits the road to take on the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Fans will have their first chance to watch the club at home on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver hosts the Niagara River Lions in a rematch of the 2024 CEBL Final. Vancouver will play a total of 12 regular season home games in 2025 between Thursday, May 22 and Sunday, August 3. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road in Ottawa on Sunday, August 10 at 12 p.m. PT.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Sign Canadian Guard Shamar Givance

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:45:00 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed Canadian guard Shamar Givance ahead of the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League season at Langley Events Centre.

Givance is in the middle of his second season in professional basketball, suiting up for AEL Limassol B.C. of the OPAP Basket League in Cyprus, and will report to the Bandits at the conclusion of his season overseas. He currently leads the league with 8.1 assists per game while also averaging 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 35.8 minutes in 21 games.

The 5-foot-10 native of Brampton, Ont. is no stranger to the CEBL, having split time between the Scarborough Shooting Stars and Ottawa BlackJacks during the 2024 season. Through 17 regular season games, he averaged 8.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds on 47.2 and 44.1 per cent shooting from field goal and three-point range, respectively.

“I am excited to return to the CEBL and be part of the Bandits organization,” said Givance. “Everything I've heard about the team’s culture, passionate fans and incredible energy in Vancouver has me looking forward to the summer ahead. I’m ready to put in the work with my teammates and bring that championship to BC.”

Givance’s career also includes a stop in Slovakia during the 2023-24 season. In his first year as a pro with BKM Lucenec of the Slovakian Basketball League, the rookie averaged 19.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals through 34 games played.

“Shamar is an extremely tough player with big time speed and an ability to generate scoring opportunities for himself and others,” said head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. “Between Shamar and Mike Nuga I think we have the two fastest players in the CEBL, I can't wait to get started with these guys!”

Givance played four seasons of post-secondary basketball at the University of Evansville from 2018 to 2022, where he earned All-Missouri Valley Conference Second Team honours in 2021 and surpassed the 1000-point mark in 2022. He then transferred to the University of Texas El Paso for his graduate season in 2022-23 where he averaged the third-most assists and steals per game in Conference USA and ranked eighth in program history with 62 steals on the season.

Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation and Westland Insurance Announce Partnership for the 2025 CEBL Season

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:38:34 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation are proud to announce Westland Insurance as a co-presenting partner of the team’s 2025 Heritage Series, which includes June 1st’s Indigenous Heritage Game, June 20th’s South Asian Heritage Game, and June 28th’s Filipino Heritage Game—three marquee game nights that celebrate cultural pride, representation, and the power of community through sport.

This partnership is grounded in a shared commitment to inclusivity and creating opportunities for more people to participate in basketball across British Columbia. In addition to co-presenting the Heritage Series, Westland Insurance will also serve as co-presenting partner of the Indigenous Basketball Collective camp, taking place June 1 at Langley Events Centre. The camp historically welcomes up to 75 indigenous youth from across British Columbia for a full day of basketball skills training, mentorship, and cultural connection—culminating in an unforgettable experience at the Bandits game later that evening.

"We're thrilled to partner with the Vancouver Bandits and support their mission to promote inclusivity and cultural pride,” said Cari Watson, Westland's Senior Vice President, Business Enablement & Client Engagement. “This collaboration allows us to engage with diverse communities and empower youth through sport. We believe that basketball can be a powerful tool for cultural celebration and building community.”

As part of its broader support for culturally meaningful basketball experiences, Westland Insurance will also be a supporting sponsor of Bandits Community Foundation’s Sinagtala Basketball Festival , a dynamic celebration of Filipino hoops culture, and the IndoHoops National Tournament, Canada’s largest South Asian basketball tournament. Both events will be held at Langley Events Centre and reflect the Bandits’ and Westland’s shared mission to foster belonging through sport.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Westland Insurance on our Heritage Series and community basketball programs,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Their support allows us to not only celebrate culture through our home games, but also create meaningful programming that brings youth together and empowers them through basketball. Westland Insurance has been an integral partner of Bandits Community Foundation’s Indigenous Basketball Collective and was a founding partner in 2022 when we officially launched the Indigenous Basketball Collective. We are grateful for their support and are excited to continue our strong community partnership.”

Vancouver Bandits Re-Sign Victoria Vikes Star, U SPORTS National Champion Diego Maffia

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 18:50:09 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that the club has signed 2025 U SPORTS national champion and the University of Victoria’s all-time leading scorer Diego Maffia to a Standard Player Contract.

A product of Victoria, B.C. and an alumnus of Oak Bay High School, Maffia leaves UVic with a decorated university career including back-to-back U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian and Canada West Player of the Year honours in 2023 and 2024, as well as being named U SPORTS player of the Year in 2024. He was instrumental in the Vikes’ recent success, contributing to three consecutive Canada West championships (2021, 2022, 2023) and four straight U SPORTS Final 8 appearances, culminating with a national championship in 2025.

Over the course of five seasons, Maffia averaged 29.0 minutes, 20.3 points, 3.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds 1.2 steals and 3.4 three-pointers made on 33.3 per cent shooting across 103 games played (80 starts). He finishes his career as UVic’s all-time leading scorer, amassing 2,096 points.

Maffia’s 2024-25 season ended prematurely after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in January. He is currently recovering from successful surgery and will be placed on the club’s Suspended List for the 2025 CEBL season. With this signing, the Bandits will have the first chance to retain Maffia’s rights for the 2026 season.

“Diego has always been a huge part of our development culture. We want to help Diego through his recovery process and make sure he is set up for success with us when he is ready to get back to action,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

Originally drafted sixth overall in the 2023 CEBL Draft, Maffia has appeared in 30 games for the Bandits across two seasons with averages of 4.9 points, 1.6 assists 1.0 rebounds and 11.2 minutes per game. Bandits fans were first introduced to his talents at the pro level when, in his first career pro start, Maffia recorded a double-double and the game-winning basket as part of a 15-point, 11-assist performance against the Calgary Surge on June 3, 2023.

Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Select Three Homegrown Players at 2025 CEBL Draft

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 23:26:10 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has selected a total of three homegrown players – all hailing from the Lower Mainland – in Nikola Guzina from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Mikyle Malabuyoc from the University of Western Ontario (UWO) and David Mutabazi from Trinity Western University at the seventh annual Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Draft.

Guzina was selected by the Bandits 10th overall in the first round, followed by Malabuyoc who was chosen in the second round, 11th overall, while Mutabazi completed the 2025 draft class in the final round, 30th overall.

“We are all really excited about the opportunity to work with this draft class,” said Bandits head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. “We have a strong mandate to draft locally in order to grow and develop the game in BC. Working with this group and giving them the opportunity to earn pro minutes this summer aligns perfectly with our mandate.”

All players selected in the CEBL Draft were signed to a Developmental Player Contract, therefore retaining a student-athlete’s eligibility for the 2025-26 post-secondary basketball season. CEBL teams are incentivized to have developmental players on their active roster as up to a maximum of three will not count against a club’s per game active roster salary cap.

Guzina, a 6-foot-10 forward from Vancouver, B.C., recently completed his fourth season at UBC where he earned Canada West Third Team All-Star honours. After a shortened junior year due to injury, Guzina experienced a bounce back season in 2024-25 averaging 21.0 minutes, 13.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in 29 games (26 starts) while finishing in double figures on 18 occasions.

Prior to his time with the Thunderbirds, Guzina starred at Vancouver’s King George Secondary where he helped lead the Dragons to a pair of Double-A provincial championship final appearances in 2018 and 2020.

The Bandits selected Malabuyoc, a 5-foot-10 guard from Vancouver, B.C., in the second round. He recently completed his sophomore year at the University of Western Ontario in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference and attended Vancouver College prior to his post-secondary career.

During the 2024-25 season, Malabuyoc placed fourth in total assists across all U SPORTS players with 116 helpers, while his 654 total minutes played led all Mustangs. He averaged 28.6 minutes, 12.4 points, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.7 rebounds per game on 48.8 per cent shooting from field goal range over the course of 23 games played.

Closing out the Bandits’ 2025 draft class is 6-foot-5 guard David Mutabazi of Trinity Western University. Born in Kirinda, Rwanda and now calling Langley, B.C. home, he averaged 12.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals in 23 games played during the 2024-25 season. Additionally, Mutabazi recorded 164 total rebounds during the 2024-25 season, which placed him in the top 10 among all U SPORTS men’s basketball players.

Prior to transferring to TWU, Mutabazi played for Columbia Bible College in the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) during the 2021-22 season, where he led the Bearcats in points, rebounds, assists, steals and field goals made and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.

Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link .

Vancouver Bandits and FortisBC Extend Partnership for 2025 Season, Expanding Commitment to Youth Basketball Across British Columbia

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 17:46:44 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits are proud to announce the renewal of their collaboration with FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) for the 2025 season, continuing a shared commitment to empowering youth through basketball development. This marks the fourth consecutive year of collaboration between the Bandits and FortisBC, reinforcing a strong community-driven initiative that provides coaching and mentorship opportunities for aspiring young athletes across British Columbia.

As part of this renewed sponsorship, FortisBC will once again be the official co-presenter of the coaching and youth clinics hosted by the Indigenous Basketball Collective (IBC) . These clinics, designed to foster skill development and leadership among Indigenous youth, will continue to offer a structured environment where young players can learn from experienced coaches while also building confidence and teamwork skills through the game of basketball across British Columbia.

“We’re proud to continue our work with the Vancouver Bandits as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting local community initiatives where we live, work and play,” said Doug Slater, vice president, Indigenous relations and regulatory affairs at FortisBC. “This collaboration will help empower Indigenous youth to thrive through basketball. By promoting sports, we’re fostering meaningful connections, investing in the next generation, and building stronger, more inclusive communities.”

New to this year, FortisBC will expand its impact by becoming a co-presenter of the BC Basketball Festival, one of the province’s premier youth basketball tournaments and one of the only youth basketball tournaments in British Columbia that does not charge spectators to watch games. This addition marks a significant milestone in the collaboration, strengthening FortisBC’s presence in the basketball community while providing young athletes with more opportunities to showcase their talent on a larger stage.

“FortisBC has been an incredible partner in our mission to grow the game of basketball and make it more accessible to youth in British Columbia,” said Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits. “By extending our collaboration and adding the BC Basketball Festival as a new initiative, we are creating even more opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills, engage with the sport, and benefit from the positive impact of mentorship.”

The extension of this partnership aligns with both organizations’ ongoing efforts to foster community engagement, youth development, and the overall growth of basketball in British Columbia.

Vancouver Bandits Sign CEBL Experienced Guard Mike Nuga

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:45:00 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has signed Canadian guard and former UNLV Runnin’ Rebel, Mike Nuga, for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

Nuga is no stranger to the CEBL, having previously played for the Edmonton Stingers in 2024 and the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2022 and 2023, amassing 42 regular season appearances and three playoff games.

“I am really excited about the opportunity of joining the Bandits family. They were close to winning it all last year and I believe that door is open for us to take it all the way. I am ready to do my part while also developing a strong connection with the city of Vancouver and its people,” said Nuga. “I also want to send a shoutout to the Edmonton Stingers, who were nothing but great to me. I am looking forward to the chance to learn and grow as a player under coach Kyle Julius while also developing my skills both on and off the court.”

In 2024, the six-foot-two guard averaged 11.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists over the course of 17 regular season games with the Stingers, who ultimately finished with the third best record in the CEBL (13-7) and a playoff appearance. Scoring consistently and prolifically, Nuga finished in double digits 11 times throughout the 2024 season, including a CEBL career-high 24 points versus Vancouver on July 5. This performance included three assists, two steals and shooting four-for-seven from three-point range in 23 minutes of action.

“Mike is one of the fastest players I've ever seen in our league. His game is unique and he plays with true toughness. He is going to give our team a different element this summer and I can't wait to go to battle with him,” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said.

Nuga comes to the Bandits with 42 games of CEBL experience split between the Saskatchewan Rattlers and Edmonton Stingers, debuting in the league in 2022.Mike Nuga has 42 games of CEBL experience, having played for both the Saskatchewan Rattlers and Edmonton Stingers since his league debut in 2022.

Nuga is currently in his third season of professional basketball; playing with Vameira Glass of the Latvian Basketball League where he is averaging 14.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in 23.5 minutes played while shooting 49 per cent from field goal range . His professional career also includes stops in Spain (Caceres, 2023-24) and Kosovo (Vellanzimi, 2024-25).

Born in Lagos, Nigeria before settling in Toronto, Ont. with his family, Nuga represents Nigeria in FIBA competitions. He has appeared in eight games at both the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers and 2023 FIBA Olympics Pre-Qualifying Tournament, most notably putting up a 31 point, eight rebound, five assist performance on February 23, 2024 versus Libya.

Collegiately, Nuga played two seasons at Eastern Florida State College, where he helped lead the Titans to an NJCAA Finals appearance in 2017 and earned First Team All-Mid Florida Conference honours in 2018. His stellar back-to-back campaigns paved the way for Nuga to transfer to NCAA DI, first with Portland State in 2018-19 before moving to Kent State for the 2020-21 season where he earned Third Team All-Mid-American Conference honours. He concluded his post-secondary career at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2021-22, appearing in 31 games during his senior year and averaging 6.1 points and 3.0 rebounds with 23 starts.

Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link .

Former Florida Gator and SEC All Star Tyrese Samuel Signs with Bandits

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 18:45:00 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Monday that the club has signed Canadian forward, former SEC All Star and Florida Gator standout Tyrese Samuel for the 2025 season.

A six-foot-ten product of Montreal, Quebec, Samuel quickly established himself as a top Canadian prospect in university. After playing four seasons at Seton Hall University from 2019 to 2023, Samuel transferred to the University of Florida for his graduate year. In his final season with the Gators, he earned Second Team All-SEC honours, averaging 13.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals with starts in all 36 games played.

“We are incredibly excited about the opportunity to work with Tyrese and welcome him to our family. He is a tremendous talent and one of the most underrated Canadians in the game right now,” said Bandits head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. “Not only will he be one of the biggest and most skilled players in our league, but he is also poised to become one of the top Canadians in the league. He has a chance to play in the NBA and we want to help him get there.”

Samuel recently completed his first professional season, playing in the NBA G League with the Phoenix Suns’ affiliate, Valley Suns. In 2024-25, he recorded averages of 9.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists in 49 games. Prior to the NBA G League, Samuel appeared in four games for the Phoenix Suns in the 2024 NBA Summer League.

“I am excited to be a part of the Bandits family this upcoming season. Being part of a winning culture is important to me and I believe Coach Kyle definitely brings that,” said Samuel. “Personal development is also a priority for me, which is something that Kyle and I will be able to focus on simultaneously throughout the CEBL season. I can’t wait to meet the fans of Vancouver and have a great season, go Bandits!”

Internationally, Samuel has represented Canada on two occasions, earning a silver medal at the 2018 FIBA U18 AmeriCup and appearing in the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup.

Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Sign NBA Experienced Guard, Big 12 All-Star Izaiah Brockington

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 17:49:26 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that the club has signed NBA experienced guard, current San Diego Clipper and former Big 12 Conference All Star, Izaiah Brockington, for the club’s upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League season at Langley Events Centre.

A 6-foot-4 guard from Philadelphia, Pa., Brockington recently finished his second full season in the NBA G League, beginning the year with the Birmingham Squadron, the minor league affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, before being dealt to the San Diego Clippers, the Los Angeles Clippers’ affiliate.

A consistent offensive force, Brockington averaged 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32.4 minutes per game in 34 games played in the 2024-25 season. He finished with 20 points or more on 13 occasions, including a career-high 34 point, 11 rebound showing on November 17, 2024.

“I’m very excited to spend this summer with the Bandits! It’s an incredible opportunity to be part of an organization that’s focused on winning and growing as we chase a CEBL championship,” said Brockington. “I’m ready to get to work and can’t wait to explore everything Vancouver has to offer.”

During the 2023-24 NBA season, Brockington was signed by the New Orleans Pelicans to a 10-day contract and made his NBA debut on March 5, 2024 against the Toronto Raptors. He has also spent time in the NBA Summer League, appearing in seven games for the Pelicans across the 2023 and 2024 summer seasons where he averaged 16.2 minutes, 6.2 points and three rebounds per game.

Brockington becomes the fourth member of the Vancouver Bandits to bring previous NBA regular season experience to the club, joining Mitch Creek (2018-19: Brooklyn, Minnesota), Tazé Moore (2023-24: Portland) and MJ Walker (2021-22, Phoenix).

“We are fortunate that Izaiah has chosen to spend his summer with us; he is an elite, two-way combo guard who has found big time success in both college and the NBA G League,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “I have been recruiting and following Izaiah’s career for the past few seasons and I cannot wait to start working with him.”

Brockington played college basketball at St. Bonaventure (2017-18) and Penn State (2019-21) before transferring to Iowa State (2021-22). His senior season proved to be his most decorated and productive campaign, starting in all 35 games for the Cyclones while averaging 16.9 points and 6.8 rebounds. He ranked among the top four in the Big 12 in both scoring and rebounding and earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honours along with a First-Team All-Big 12 Conference selection.

Tickets for the 2025 season, including Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Single Game Tickets, are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link .

Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation and Fraser Valley Building Supplies Extend Partnership Into 8th Season

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 19:36:45 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits and Fraser Valley Building Supplies are proud to announce a renewed two-year partnership that builds on an already strong relationship rooted in community investment and support for youth development. In 2022 and 2023, Fraser Valley Building Supplies notably supported the Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects initiative which saw the development of outdoor basketball courts across the Fraser Valley.

Fraser Valley Building Supplies is now deepening its impact by supporting two major community initiatives delivered through the Bandits Community Foundation: the Bandits School Tour in Mission and the Community Champion program .

As part of the new agreement, Fraser Valley Building Supplies will sponsor the Mission leg of the Bandits School Tour, a travelling program that brings Vancouver Bandits players, coaches, and staff into schools across British Columbia to inspire the next generation of basketball players and coaches, the School Tour fosters a love for sport while delivering key life lessons in a relatable and engaging format. During the 2024 Bandits School Tour the Vancouver Bandits visited Mission Secondary School and Hatzic Middle School .

"We are proud to extend our partnership with the Vancouver Bandits, reinforcing our commitment to Canadian basketball and community connection.” said Dave Deobald, Sales Manager at RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies. “Through initiatives like the Court Projects Program and the Bandits School Tour, we’re bringing the excitement of basketball directly to local schools, inspiring the next generation of athletes. Making a positive impact on the communities we serve is at the heart of what we do."

Fraser Valley Building Supplies will also serve as a supporting partner of the Community Champion program, which provides tickets to not-for-profit and charitable organizations in Mission, programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mission Community Services and Mission School District.'

“Fraser Valley Building Supplies has been an incredible partner for the past two seasons, and we’re thrilled to continue building with them through two initiatives that truly align with their values,” said Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits. “Their support in Mission and across the Fraser Valley helps us grow the game of basketball by building courts, educating coaches and bringing youth to Bandits games who may otherwise not be able to go without the support of Fraser Valley Building Supplies.”

This renewed partnership reflects a shared vision for a stronger, more connected Fraser Valley—where sport and community go hand-in-hand to create meaningful change.

Surrey's James Karnik is back home for the 2025 season

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 17:45:01 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Monday that the club is bringing back 6-foot-9 forward and homegrown talent James Karnik for his third season with British Columbia’s professional basketball team.

Hailing from Surrey, B.C., Karnik has established himself as one of the league’s premier power forwards, thanks in part for his t\hunderous dunks and tenacious defensive presence. Appearing in 24 games for the Bandits across two CEBL campaigns in 2022 and 2024, he owns averages of 11.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.9 blocks in 22.2 minutes of action.

“Being able to play two seasons of professional basketball in my home province has been an amazing experience; we are really building something special in BC,” said Karnik. “I’m looking forward to coming home and running it back with the team and our fans for another summer!”

Karnik is currently playing overseas for Dutch club Donar Groningen in the BNXT League, where he is averaging a double-double with 16.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 26.1 minutes per game, while shooting 53% from the field. Karnik will report to the Bandits at the conclusion of Donar Groningen’s season.

His overseas basketball career has also featured stints in Switzerland with Geneva Lions (2022-23) and the Czech Republic with Basket Brno (2022-23).

“James has been an incredibly impactful player in the CEBL, he is an absolute beast on the court and a great presence in our locker room. It is truly a privilege to be able to coach and work with someone like James.” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said.

Holding a Czech passport, Karnik represents the Czech Republic in international FIBA play. Most recently, he was called up to the national team at both the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers and 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers appearing in four games across both competitions.

Prior to turning professional, Karnik played in 130 games across a five year NCAA DI career. Split between Lehigh University (2017-20) and Boston College (2020-22), he owns collegiate career averages of 9.1 points on 56.2 per cent shooting and 6.1 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game.

Karnik played high school basketball at Earl Marriott Secondary in Surrey and BC Christian Academy in Port Coquitlam before wrapping up his high school career at Orangeville Prep in Mono, Ont., the alma mater of several current NBAers including Jamal Murray, Oshae Brissett, Luguentz Dort and other recent NBA draft selections.

Season Tickets and Jam Packs are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link . Single game tickets are expected to go on sale later this spring.

Vancouver will play a total of 12 regular season home games in 2025 between Thursday, May 22 and Sunday, August 3. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road in Ottawa on Sunday, August 10 at 12 p.m. PT.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Re-sign Duane Notice for Third Straight Season

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 17:45:00 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has re-signed veteran guard Duane Notice for his third consecutive Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season with BC’s professional basketball team.

“Duane has been the heart and soul of our team for the past two years. He understands how to win in this league,” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said. “He is a highly underrated Canadian and truly leads by example, enhancing our team culture and making everyone around him better.”

A 6-foot-3 guard hailing from Toronto, Ont., Notice appeared in all 20 regular season games in 2024 where he averaged 6.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 28.0 minutes per game.

The 30-year-old guard has become a fan favourite in Vancouver for his hard-nosed style of play, finishing in double figure scoring five times in 2024 which included a season-high 19 points against Winnipeg on June 19. He is also tied for second all-time in target score winners by Bandits players, notching the game-winning basket on July 1 against Niagara.

Suiting up in 43 games in both regular season and playoff action, Notice ranks second in all-time games played in franchise history logging 1145 minutes, 267 points, 80 rebounds and 58 assists overall dating back to 2023.

“They say the third time’s the charm and I'm elated to run it back with the Bandits, ” said Notice. “Vancouver has become a second home for me. I feed off the support from the best fans in CEBL, which are the amazing people of the BC community. New year, same goal. We’re trying to bring the chip to the West Coast.”

During his CEBL off-seasons, Notice has been playing for the Sudbury Five of the Basketball Super League where he has appeared in 89 games dating back to 2022. During the 2024-25 season, he has been averaging 17.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 24.0 minutes through 28 games played.

Notice has previous CEBL experience with the Brampton Honey Badgers (formerly known as Hamilton) in 2019 and 2020. Across two seasons with the Honey Badgers, Notice averaged 29.7 minutes, 13.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game.

Prior to the Honey Badgers, Notice spent two seasons with the Toronto Raptors’ NBA G League affiliate, the Raptors 905, appearing in 80 games between 2018-2020. In 2018-19 with the 905, Notice averaged 10 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game on 38.5 per cent shooting from three-point range.

Internationally, Notice has represented Team Canada at six different tournaments and has played a combined total of 30 games throughout his career for both the junior men’s and senior men’s national teams.

Over a five-year university career, Notice starred at the University of South Carolina where he is the school’s all-time leader in games played with 138. He was named the SEC’s Sixth Man of the Year during the 2015-16 season and helped lead the Gamecocks to an appearance in the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2017.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

2025 CEBL Draft Reveal Show Set for April 10 on CEBL+

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 17:13:53 GMT

Draft results will be unveiled live on league’s official streaming platform for the first time

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that results of the 2025 CEBL Draft will be unveiled live on CEBL+ for the first time in league history via the ‘2025 CEBL Draft Reveal Show’ on Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can subscribe at plus.cebl.ca for free access to the show and other CEBL video content including upcoming live and previously archived games.

The show, featuring the talents of CEBL Weekly hosts Dhanung Bulsara and Esfandiar Baraheni, as well as Canadian University sports expert Dashawn Stephens, Founder and Creative Director of PRSVRE Media Group, will include the full reveal of all 30 players selected by CEBL clubs this year from U SPORTS and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) programs, instant analysis of each team’s picks, an interview with Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL, and more!

The full 2025 CEBL Draft order is as follows:

The CEBL and U SPORTS have renewed a long-standing partnership, and with the addition of CCAA talent to the draft last year , every Canadian post-secondary student-athlete playing in Canada will again have an equal opportunity to be drafted into the league in April. The CEBL Draft presents a coveted opportunity for top Canadian post-secondary players to get a chance to experience professional basketball by practicing and playing alongside veteran pro basketball players from the NBA, NBA G League, Canadian National team, and top international leagues.

Both players that are returning developmental players (recognized Canadians with experience as a student-athlete with remaining eligibility) and those that have exhausted their academic eligibility are eligible to be drafted. CEBL teams are incentivized to have developmental players on their active roster as up to a maximum of three will not count against a club’s per game active roster salary cap.

All developmental players will become free agents at the conclusion of the CEBL season and can maintain eligibility to be selected in the 2026 CEBL Draft and/or sign with a CEBL club and re-enter the league as a developmental player next season.

Vancouver Bandits Sign Uvic Vikes Star, U SPORTS Finals MVP Sam Maillet

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:52:27 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has signed 6-foot-7 guard and U SPORTS National Championship MVP, Sam Maillet, to a Standard Player Contract for its upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre.

A native of Moncton, N.B., Maillet recently finished his fifth season of U SPORTS hoops and is coming off of a national championship with the University of Victoria Vikes in 2025.

This will be Maillet’s second stint in the CEBL after previously being signed by the Bandits during the 2024 season as a developmental player (recognized Canadians with experience as a student-athlete with remaining eligibility). Quickly winning the hearts of Bandits fans with his distinctive mullet haircut and tenacious defensive play, Maillet earned a roster spot out of training camp and appeared in 20 games across regular season and postseason play.

“I am really excited to be back with the Bandits for another season and can’t wait to get started,” said Maillet. “I am looking forward to playing in front of the best fans in the CEBL, growing alongside the great people in the organization and another summer of bodies flying.”

The 2024-25 campaign saw Maillet enjoy the most decorated season of his university career, which garnered him recognition as both Canada West and U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year. as well as a nod as a U SPORTS Final 8 Tournament All-Star and Tournament MVP thanks to helping Victoria win its 9th national title. Maillet led the Vikes in total rebounds and assists, and minutes played per game while starting in all 24 regular season and playoff games.

Prior to transferring to the west coast, he spent four seasons at Dalhousie University in Halifax, N.S. where he won three Atlantic University Sport (AUS) titles in 2020, 2022 and 2024, and was also named AUS Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. As a result, he became the first player to win a conference defensive player of the year award in two different conferences.

“I am really excited about the opportunity to spend another summer working with Sam,” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said. “He embodies our culture and really impacts winning and I can’t wait to get back in the gym with him.”

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Announce 2025 Coaching and Basketball Operations Staff

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 19:11:44 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team, have finalized its basketball staff in advance of the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League season. Led by reigning CEBL Coach of the Year, Kyle Julius, a combination of familiar and new faces will comprise the group that will lead the club into its seventh season tipping off on May 15. Julius enters his sixth season with the Bandits, having been with the club since 2020.

"When we hired Kyle Julius in 2020, we knew we were bringing in a leader with a relentless work ethic, a championship pedigree and a deep commitment to player development. His vision for high-performance basketball, combined with his ability to build a winning culture, aligned perfectly with the direction we wanted to take as an organization,” said Vancouver team president Dylan Kular.

“Since his arrival, the Bandits have grown tremendously both on and off the court. We have established a culture of excellence, expanded our community reach, and built a foundation that continues to attract top-tier talent. Kyle has been instrumental in shaping our identity, and his leadership has positioned us as the premier franchise in the CEBL.”

“I am incredibly excited to work with this outstanding group of coaches, we have our entire championship staff returning, and we’ve added some talented new coaches as well. Our organization has always been fully committed to providing our players with the highest level of coaching and development, both on and off the court,” said Vancouver head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

Under his leadership, Vancouver has advanced to the CEBL postseason in each of his five seasons at the helm, including two CEBL Finals appearances in 2020 and 2024. Julius led the Bandits to a 14-6 record in 2024, the club’s best regular season result in franchise history, which culminated with a CEBL Finals berth and being named recipient of the CEBL’s Coach of the Year award. The Thunder Bay, Ont. native became the first head coach in CEBL history to be signed on in a year-round capacity and recently signed a contract extension to 2026, greatly expanding the Bandits’ off-court endeavours including community outreach and grassroots basketball development efforts across British Columbia.

“We have set the standard in the league when it comes to player development, training resources, strength and conditioning, recovery, on-court skill development, mental wellness, and emotional growth. This staff brings deep basketball experience at every level, ensuring that our players will improve on a daily basis and not only help our players grow as athletes but also as people. They are both dedicated to the Bandits and also committed to the game and ensuring our players have a great experience this summer. I am proud and honoured to work with this group of coaches,” Julius said.

New additions to the Bandits bench in 2025 will include Steven Bennett as Player Development Coach, Tyrell Mara as Leadership & Performance Coach, and Louie Al-Hafidh as Assistant Coach & Head Video Coordinator.

Ransford Brempong, Lead Assistant Coach & Director of Player Development - Brempong will serve as Lead Assistant Coach for a second season. Originally from Thornhill, Ont., he played a decorated college career at Western Carolina University between 2000-05 and his eight-year pro career included stints with the Canada senior men’s national team and the Bandits during their inaugural season in 2019. After retiring from the game, he worked as a colour commentator for Bandits broadcasts from 2021-23 and founded WCT Hoops, a basketball development program serving youth on Vancouver’s North Shore.

Tony Scott, Assistant Coach & Senior Advisor - Scott will re-join the Bandits bench as an Assistant Coach for his fifth consecutive season. For nearly 25 years, he has coached high school basketball at Gleneagle Secondary in Coquitlam and most recently with Terry Fox Secondary in Port Coquitlam. A native of Winnipeg, Man., Scott previously spent 10 years as an assistant coach with the University of Manitoba and played post-secondary basketball from 1979 and 1984 at both the University of Winnipeg and Lakehead University.

Matthew Barg, Assistant Coach & Video Coordinator - Barg is another returnee for Julius’ staff, assuming the role of assistant coach for a second season while also taking on responsibilities as the club’s Video Coordinator. Hailing from Montréal, Que., Barg played collegiately at McGill University from 2021 to 2022 and has served as a basketball coach at Selwyn House School.

Louie Al-Hafidh, Assistant Coach & Head Video Coordinator - One of three newcomers to the Bandits bench, Al-Hafidh joins the Bandits from Dallas, Texas as head video coordinator for the 2025 season. He is currently working with the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, where he is in his first season as the club’s Director of Basketball Operations. Prior to joining the Mavericks organization, Al-Hafidh spent four seasons with the University of North Texas as the Director of Scouting, Video and Analytics for its men’s basketball program.

Steven Bennett, Assistant Coach & Player Development Coach - Bennett will make his debut on the Bandits’ coaching staff in 2025. Originally from Los Angeles, Calif., He played collegiately at Chaminade University and enjoyed a pro basketball career from 2012 to 2018 featuring stops in Germany, Italy, Australia, and the Czech Republic. Following his playing career, Bennett founded the HARD2GUARD basketball training academy, based in Surrey, B.C.

Jon Giesbrecht, Director of Mental Skills & Performance - Joining the Bandits in 2024, Giesbrecht’s role addressing mental performance and player mindfulness is the first of its kind in the CEBL. The Winnipeg, Man. native previously served as an assistant coach with the University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg and the University of Regina as well as with Canada Basketball and overseas with professional clubs in Italy. In addition to his work with the Bandits, Giesbrecht manages his own basketball academy, Play Free Ball, mentoring young athletes on mindfulness and mental performance.

Jaxson Creasey, Director of Basketball Strategy - Creasey enters his second season with the Bandits. His previous experience includes work with the Victoria Royals and Canuck Place Children’s Hospice in various media and communications roles. Outside of the Bandits, Creasey has gained sport management experience with athlete management group Apollo Athletics as a Junior Agent and is an alumnus of the University of Victoria.

Tanner Care, Director of Athletic Performance - Care takes on the role of Director of Athletic Performance for a third consecutive season. He initially joined the club in 2023 where he introduced a specialized department focused on player strength and conditioning. In addition to his work with the Bandits, he is also the head strength and conditioning coach with Simon Fraser University Athletics overseeing the development of student-athletes across several sports.

Jackson Banman, Strength & Conditioning Performance Coach - Banman originally joined the Bandits for the 2023 season, working alongside Tanner Care in building the team’s Athletic Performance department. He also serves as a coach with Simon Fraser University Athletics with their strength and conditioning team and works as a personal trainer with local athletes.

Kosta Ikonomou, Head of Sports Medicine - Ikonomou begins his sixth season as an athletic therapist with the Bandits, having been involved with the club since its inaugural season in 2019. His previous experience in high performance sports and health includes work with Chelsea FC, Team GB, Trinity Western University athletics and top health organizations in both Canada and England. He obtained his BSc (hons) in Physiotherapy from Brunel University London after completing his BSc of Human Kinetics from the University of Fraser Valley. Furthermore, he holds a master’s degree in Sports Medicine Exercise & Health from the University College of London.

Tyrell Mara, Leadership & Performance Coach - Mara joins the Bandits for his first season, serving as a leadership coach. After a decorated high school basketball career with his hometown White Rock Christian Academy, his post-secondary journey included stops at Portland State University and Trinity Western University. After basketball, Mara transitioned into leadership coaching and public speaking where he currently operates his own mentorship and wellness program, The Human Performance Project.

Rounding out the staff are volunteer coaches Kyle Brown, Matthew Carrion, Tom Connolly and Othniel Spence, and team doctors Dr. Presley Moodley and Dr. David Wickham.

Bandits Development Players Maillet, Maffia named U SPORTS National Champions with Victoria

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 22:58:22 GMT

Current and former Bandits earned Canadian university basketball's top trophy

Vancouver Bandits development players Sam Maillet and Diego Maffia raised the W.P. McGee Trophy as U SPORTS Men’s Basketball national champions on Sunday, March 16 at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre in Vancouver. After coming short in the championship final in 2024, the University of Victoria Vikes captured the school’s first national title since 1997 and ninth overall in program history.

The U SPORTS Final 8 serves as the biggest event on the Canadian university basketball calendar and began on Friday, March 13, with the No. 4 seeded Vikes defeating Bishop’s University 85-73 in the quarter finals and Queen’s University 107-98 in the semi finals. The championship game featured a Canada West finals rematch as the Vikes and No. 2 seed University of Calgary Dinos battled for collegiate supremacy. The Vikes came out victorious with a commanding 82-53 victory with Maillet being named Tournament MVP.

Maillet appeared in all three Final 8 games for the Vikes, averaging 13.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 31.0 minutes played. The native of Moncton, N.B. spent five seasons at Dalhousie University before making the move west for his graduate year. Maffia, a former U SPORTS Player of the Year, was the Vikes leading scorer during the 2024-25 season, averaging 21.1 points per game before being sidelined by an ACL injury in January. He was drafted in the first round (sixth overall) in the 2023 CEBL U SPORTS Draft by Vancouver.

The roster also featured former development player Geoffrey James and former player Murphy Burnatowski, both on the Bandits squad during the 2022 CEBL season. The 2024-25 season was Burnatowski’s debut campaign as Vikes head coach, and first-ever head coaching role, and led the program to an undefeated regular season and garnered U SPORTS Coach of the Year accolades. James recorded 17 points and five assists in the championship game and was named to the U SPORTS All-Tournament team.

Maillet, Maffia, James and Burnatowski join two other former members of the Bandits organization who have won a U SPORTS men’s basketball national championship previously in their basketball careers:

2010: University of Saskatchewan

Troy Gottselig (Fraser Valley Bandits, 2019)
Named U SPORTS men’s basketball Tournament MVP

2016, 2017: Carleton University

Ryan Ejim (Fraser Valley Bandits, 2021)

Vancouver Bandits and NOVO Dental Centre Extend Partnership, Announce Back-of-Short Logo Placement

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:07:24 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits are proud to announce the extension of their long-standing partnership with NOVO Dental Centre, reaffirming the relationship between two organizations dedicated to excellence both on and off the court. As a founding partner since the Bandits' inaugural season, NOVO Dental Centre will enter a new two-year agreement, further solidifying its commitment to professional basketball in British Columbia.

As part of this renewed collaboration, NOVO Dental Centre will be featured on the back of the Bandits’ shorts, marking another milestone for the club in securing premium sponsorship placements on its official game-day apparel. This follows last season’s landmark deal that saw Oxygen Yoga & Fitness become the first brand in CEBL history to claim a key on-court apparel position on the back of the jersey. With this latest agreement, the Bandits once again continue to lead the league in innovating corporate partnerships and brand visibility opportunities.

“This partnership is a testament to the strength of our relationships and the shared vision between the Bandits and NOVO Dental Centre,” said Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits. “NOVO Dental Centre has been with us since day one, and their continued investment in our franchise shows their passion for supporting local professional sports and making an impact in our community. With this new placement, their brand will be front and center every time our athletes hit the floor – bringing a smile to everyone who sees it.”

NOVO Dental Centre has built a reputation for its cutting-edge approach to dental care, ensuring that British Columbians of all ages have access to top-tier oral health services. The partnership with the Bandits reinforces its mission to promote wellness and confidence through healthy smiles, aligning perfectly with the team’s values of community engagement and excellence.

“We’ve been incredibly proud to stand alongside the Vancouver Bandits from the very beginning,” said Jean Provo, owner of NOVO Dental Centre. “This partnership has allowed us to connect with fans, athletes, and the broader community in meaningful ways. The new placement on the Bandits’ shorts is the perfect way to showcase our commitment to keeping smiles bright – both on and off the court.”

The 2025 CEBL season promises to be another exciting chapter for the Bandits as they continue to grow their footprint in Canadian professional basketball. With NOVO Dental Centre’s branding prominently displayed, fans can expect to see their support for the team reflected in every fast break, slam dunk, and game-winning play.

For more information on NOVO Dental Centre, visit www.novodentalcentre.com . For tickets and updates on the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming season, visit www.thebandits.ca and follow @vancouverbandits on social media.

Vancouver Bandits Announce 2025 National Broadcast Schedule

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:59:22 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), TSN, Canada’s Sports Leader, and RDS, the leading Canadian French-language specialty sports channel, announced Thursday the CEBL on TSN and RDS broadcast schedules for the 2025 season.

TSN’s CEBL coverage in 2025 includes 17 nationally televised games, beginning Friday, May 23 when the Ottawa BlackJacks visit the Montréal Alliance at 8 p.m. ET, and culminating with all playoff and 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) games in Winnipeg this August. Additionally, all 127 CEBL games this season will be streamed live on TSN+ , the network’s stand-alone digital streaming service.

French-language CEBL coverage this season on RDS includes 16 total games – 12 live televised games and four games streamed live on RDS.ca and the RDS app . All 12 Alliance regular season home games and one road game, as well as all three CW25 games, will be available on RDS platforms this summer.

The full Vancouver Bandits TSN national broadcast schedule for the 2025 CEBL season is as follows:

Bandits fans are encouraged to pack Langley Events Centre for both TSN nationally televised games. Season Tickets, Jam Packs and Student Passes are currently on sale for the Bandits’ seventh CEBL season and are available for purchase at this link . Single game tickets are expected to go on sale later this spring.

Vancouver Bandits Announce Fourth Annual BC Basketball Festival

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 22:23:44 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that it is hosting an expanded format of the fourth-annual BC Basketball Festival this summer at Langley Events Centre (LEC) over the weekends of May 30-June 1 and June 13-15.

Spanning two weekends, the BC Basketball Festival and its broadened scope is a direct response designed to accommodate the popularity of its boys and girls tournaments, as well as its officials development clinic.

A complete overview of the event can be found at this link . The boys tournament takes place Friday, May 30th to Sunday, June 1st and the girls tournament taking place Friday, June 13th to Sunday, June 15th. Tournament games will be played at Langley Events Centre, as well as gymnasiums throughout Langley and Surrey.

“We are thrilled to host the third annual BC Basketball Festival here at Langley Events Centre. Last year’s event was a tremendous showcase of the popularity of the game and all the different ways that we can collaborate with community-minded organizations to promote the sport and to develop young athletes and officials,” Bandits team president Dylan Kular said.

“The event has grown this year to encompass two Bandits game days and an educational component for the players and coaches through our speaking series. We are grateful for the support of our partners who continue to enrich our fanbase through their connections and inform us of the various new ways that we can contribute to British Columbia’s fervent basketball community.”

Participants in either tournament will have an opportunity to purchase tickets to a Bandits game taking place the weekend of each respective tournament; in particular, on Sunday, June 1 versus the Calgary Surge and Saturday, June 14th against the Montréal Alliance.

Members of the Vancouver Bandits’ coaching staff will play a key role in the BC Basketball Festival. On Sunday, June 1, Bandits coaches, in collaboration with representatives from the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council ( I·SPARC ) , will lead a free-to-attend basketball camp for Indigenous youth as part of the club’s ongoing commitment to the Indigenous Basketball Collective .

New to the BC Basketball Festival is the Bandits Community Foundation hosting an exclusive speaking series for festival participants, featuring former and future National Basketball Association (NBA) and Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) players and coaches.

Season tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ seventh season are available for purchase and can be accessed by clicking here . A full seat map, price chart breakdown, season schedule and a complete list of season ticket holder benefits can be found by clicking here .

Individuals interested in learning more about the BC Basketball Festival, or tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2025 season, are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca . A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here .

Bandits and City of Pitt Meadows Unveil Constable Rick O'Brien Court

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 19:43:13 GMT

As part of the Court Projects initiative, the Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation partnered with the City of Pitt Meadows to refurbish and unveil the Constable Rick O’Brien Court.

The court is named in honour of fallen RCMP officer Constable Rick O’Brien, who served in the Ridge Meadows community. The court is located at the Pitt Meadows Family Rec Centre, which he frequented during his seven years of service.

Thanks to the City of Pitt Meadows, Joint Forces Foundation Standard Insulation Inc and Sherwin-Williams for their support making this project a reality.

Learn more at https://www.banditsfoundation.ca/court-projects

Vancouver Bandits & Bandits Community Foundation Conclude Transformative Bandits School Tour with 77 Team Visits Across 16 Cities

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:28:14 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits & Bandits Community Foundation have successfully wrapped up the 2024-25 Bandits School Tour, leaving a lasting impact on young basketball players and coaches across British Columbia. Led by Bandits’ Head Coach Kyle Julius, the tour featured visits to 77 teams, 12 coaching clinics, and stops in 16 cities, reinforcing the club’s commitment to grassroots basketball development.

Powered by the support of Bandits Community Foundation, University Canada West (UCW) and Preston Chevrolet , the tour provided an unparalleled opportunity for student-athletes to learn from a professional coach while equipping high school coaches with insights to elevate their programs. Each stop focused on skill development, leadership, and fostering a championship mindset—values that have become synonymous with the Bandits’ culture.

“Our goal was to inspire young athletes and empower high school coaches with tools to develop the next generation of basketball talent,” said Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits team president. “The response from schools and communities has been incredible, and we are excited to continue growing the game throughout British Columbia, reaching all corners of British Columbia in the years to come.”

Beyond on-court development, the tour also emphasized mentorship, determination, dignity and the importance of education. Bandits players and staff engaged in meaningful conversations with students about balancing academics with athletics, helping to shape well-rounded individuals both on and off the court. Content from the Bandits School Tour reached over a million unique people on social media, including important messaging from Bandits head coach Kyle Julius on the importance of having a growth mindset .

As a key partner in the initiative, UCW’s involvement underscored the connection between sports and education, while also providing stainless steel water bottles for students on the tour.

“We are thrilled to support the 2024-25 Bandits School Tour, which provides an incredible opportunity for high school students to connect with a role model who embodies hard work, dedication and perseverance,” said Dr. Bashir Makhoul, UCW President. “At University Canada West, we believe in the power of education and athletics to shape our future leaders, and we are proud to support this effort to inspire and uplift local youth in the community.”

Preston Chevrolet involvement was integral for Bandits head coach Kyle Julius, providing transportation to the 16 cities part of the 2024-25 Bandits School Tour.

“We are thrilled to have partnered with the Bandits in such a comprehensive effort to the development of the sport in B.C. In particular, our heartfelt thanks to head coach Kyle Julius for his personal dedication and commitment to the success of this endeavour,” said Peter Heppner, president, Preston Chevrolet.

With the success of this year’s tour, the Bandits remain committed to expanding their outreach and continuing to grow the sport of basketball across the province.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Bandits and Gold’s Gym BC Extend Partnership for the 2025 & 2026 CEBL Season

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 22:11:47 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits are proud to announce the continuation of their partnership with Gold’s Gym BC , entering into a two-year community and marketing agreement for the 2025 and 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) seasons. Since the partnership began in 2023, Gold’s Gym BC has been a cornerstone of the Bandits’ commitment to excellence, providing state-of-the-art training facilities for the team’s players and staff.

This partnership offers a competitive edge to the Vancouver Bandits’ program, as players utilize Gold’s Gym BC’s premier equipment and amenities to elevate their fitness, strength, and conditioning. The partnership also serves as a major recruiting tool for Bandits Head Coach and General Manager Kyle Julius, who emphasizes the importance of top-tier training environments to attract and develop elite talent. Gold’s Gym BC’s facilities, renowned for their quality and innovation, ensure that Bandits players are equipped to perform at their peak both on and off the court.

“Gold’s Gym BC is a state of the art facility that has greatly contributed to our success and impacted winning. Our players spend a lot of time there and it's another factor to our highly successful player development program,” said Vancouver Bandits Head Coach and General Manager Kyle Julius.

Gold’s Gym BC has been a leader in the fitness industry for decades, with locations across the province that offer comprehensive wellness services and cutting-edge equipment. Their alignment with the Vancouver Bandits reinforces a shared vision of promoting health, fitness, and community engagement.

"Gold's Gym Langley has thoroughly enjoyed the partnership we have built with the Vancouver Bandit's organization. With the Bandits being one of the premiere teams in the CEBL, we are thankful and proud the Bandits have selected us as their fitness facility of choice, “ said Gold’s Gym BC vice president Andrew Uy. “Having the Bandit players working out at our facility has been a very rewarding experience. We know that through our commitment to continually improve our facility, equipment, and amenities, we are doing our part to provide the Bandits with what they need to take their fitness to the next level."

The Vancouver Bandits and Gold’s Gym BC look forward to building on this strong foundation over the next two years, continuing to empower athletes and communities through a shared passion for excellence in sport and fitness.

"The Vancouver Bandits athletes have become an integral part of our community at Gold's Gym Langley. Their presence energizes our facility and inspires our members. Gold's Gym BC and Vancouver Bandits, is a partnership of mutual commitment to creating a dynamic environment where both professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike can train side by side. We're excited to have the Bandits as valued members of our Gold's Gym family for years to come,” said Director of Fitness Development & Partnerships, Bel Quirce.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits take over high school basketball courts

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:23:44 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have been busy this offseason visiting local high schools and lending his expertise to players and coaches. Head coach and general manager Kyle Julius and team president Dylan Kular speak with Global BC's Jay Janower.

The Bandits Community Foundation School Tour is presented by Preston Chevrolet and University Canada West. Learn more at https://www.banditsfoundation.ca/secondary-buckets

Bandits and Preston Chevrolet Extend Partnership for the 2025 & 2026 CEBL Season

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 18:26:31 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits are thrilled to announce that Preston Chevrolet , one of British Columbia’s largest General Motors dealerships, has extended its dedication to professional basketball by committing to a two-year community and marketing partnership with the Bandits for the 2025 and 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) seasons. This marks a continuation of an impactful partnership that began in 2022, when the Vancouver Bandits first debuted at the Langley Events Centre (LEC).

The partnership’s centerpiece is Preston Chevrolet’s commitment to enhancing the Bandits’ game-day experience at the Langley Events Centre, while also supporting community outreach initiatives across British Columbia. Notably, Preston Chevrolet will now co-present the Bandits School Tour, a flagship program of the Bandits Community Foundation . This impactful initiative sends Bandits Head Coach and General Manager Kyle Julius to high schools across the province, where he works with basketball programs to help student-athletes and coaches improve their skills and knowledge of the game. To date, Coach Julius has visited 64 schools during the 2024-25 school year, delivering meaningful programming that promotes basketball and personal development.

A major highlight of this partnership is Preston Chevrolet’s provision of a Hummer EV for Coach Julius’ travel across the province as part of the Bandits School Tour. This support enables the Bandits to expand their reach and inspire communities in even the most remote areas of British Columbia.

Since 2022, Preston Chevrolet has proudly supported the Community Champion program, which has given hundreds of at-risk youth the opportunity to experience Vancouver Bandits basketball in the Preston Players’ Lounge at Langley Events Centre. The program exemplifies Preston Chevrolet’s commitment to providing accessible opportunities for youth who may not otherwise experience the thrill of professional basketball.

“From the very start we could tell The Vancouver Bandits organization and Team Preston share many corporate cultural values. The value of sport and in particular the team sport experience contribute greatly in many ways to the positive development of young people. Over time, their dedication to these efforts is most evident and we are proud to support it.” said Peter Heppner of Preston Chevrolet.

Preston Chevrolet, a family-owned and operated business in Langley since 1965, continues to uphold its tradition of giving back to the communities it serves. Since purchasing the dealership in 2006, Peter Heppner and his son Leigh Heppner have carried on this legacy with a strong commitment to local partnerships and programs that benefit youth and families.

“The moment we committed to Langley Events Centre in 2022, we were introduced to Peter Heppner and Preston Chevrolet’s unwavering dedication to supporting the community. For Peter and his team, this partnership has always been about more than marketing – it’s about creating opportunities that make a real difference in the lives of youth and families,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Thanks to Peter, Leigh, and the entire Preston Chevrolet team, we’ve been able to build impactful programming that strengthens our community and connects people through basketball. We are excited to continue this incredible partnership for the next two years.”

Vancouver Bandits Announce 2025 Schedule

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 18:00:50 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday the club’s 2025 regular season schedule, a 24-game campaign that will see the club open its seventh Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season Thursday, May 15 in Saskatoon when the Bandits visit the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

The Bandits’ home opener is set for Thursday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Langley Events Centre when the Bandits host the Niagara River Lions in a rematch of the 2024 CEBL Championship Final. The expanded 2025 CEBL campaign will mark the debut of a 24-game format , with the regular season spanning from mid-May through mid-August. With at least one home and away matchup between all teams in 2025, the Vancouver Bandits will visit every CEBL city next summer.

The Bandits’ full season schedule can be accessed by clicking here .

“Each season, we are grateful to welcome fans new and old to our stands to join us in tipping off a new campaign. With the addition of two home games in 2025, we are excited to provide more basketball to our fans across British Columbia and around the world,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Our fans are some of the most dedicated in all of Canadian professional sports and we can’t wait to see the energy and passion that they bring to our game days this upcoming season.”

“Basketball continues to grow at a rapid pace across the country and our seventh season will deliver more opportunities than ever before for fans to consume our vibrant Canadian brand,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “The expansion of our season delivers a record 127 total CEBL games, each team visiting every market at least once, and all of it culminating with what promises to be the biggest and best Championship Weekend ever in Winnipeg. We look forward to celebrating another CEBL season filled with world-class basketball and first-class entertainment all across the country.”

Returning for the Bandits’ 2025 season is a preseason game that will be played at Langley Events Centre on Thursday, May 16 at 11:00 a.m. PT. The game will be the Bandits’ fourth annual School Day Game, hosted in partnership with the Bandits Community Foundation . Last year’s edition welcomed 31 schools from across the Lower Mainland and saw over 4,000 students fill the stands at LEC for an intrasquad exhibition match which featured Bandits players and local university student-athletes.

School leaders interested in learning more about the School Day Game or organizing attendance at the event are kindly asked to info@banditsfoundation.ca .

Vancouver will play a total of 12 regular season home games in 2025 between Thursday, May 22 and Sunday, August 3. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road against Ottawa on Sunday, August 10 at 12 p.m. PT. The Bandits will play 10 of their 12 home games between Friday and Sunday, with all Sunday and holiday games tipping off at 5:00 p.m.

Subject to postseason qualification, the Bandits will have an opportunity to host a potential playoff game at LEC. The game’s scheduling is dependent on the club’s final regular season record and ultimate position in the CEBL standings. If the Bandits earn the opportunity to host a playoff game, playoff tickets are already included in the cost of Vancouver season ticket packages. The Championship Weekend conference finals will be hosted August 22-24, 2025 at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.

Vancouver Bandits 2025 CEBL season schedule:

*Note: All times PT | Home dates are in bold

Preseason School Day Game: Thursday, May 8 | 11:00 a.m. at Langley Events Centre
Thursday, May 15, 2025 at Saskatchewan | 6:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre
Thursday, May 22, 2025 vs. Niagara | 7:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Saturday, May 24, 2025 vs. Edmonton | 7:00 p.m at Langley Events Centre
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Winnipeg | 5:00 p.m. at Canada Life Centre
Friday, May 30, 2025 at Edmonton | 6:00 p.m. at Edmonton EXPO Centre
Sunday, June 1, 2025 vs. Calgary | 5:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Friday, June 6, 2025 vs. Ottawa | 7:00 p.m at Langley Events Centre
Sunday, June 8, 2025 at Saskatchewan | 3:00 p.m at SaskTel Centre
Saturday, June 14, 2025 vs. Montréal | 7:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Friday, June 20, 2025 vs. Winnipeg | 7:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Sunday, June 22, 2025 at Calgary | 1:00 p.m at WinSport Arena
Saturday, June 28, 2025 vs. Saskatchewan | 7:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 vs. Scarborough | 5:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Sunday, July 6, 2025 vs. Brampton | 5:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Niagara | 4:00 p.m at Meridian Centre
Friday, July 11, 2025 at Brampton | 5:00 p.m at CAA Centre
Sunday, July 13, 2025 at Montréal | 1:00 p.m. at Verdun Auditorium
Friday, July 18, 2025 vs. Saskatchewan | 7:00 p.m at Langley Events Centre
Sunday, July 20, 2025 vs. Edmonton | 5:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Friday, July 25, 2025 at Calgary | 7:00 p.m. at Winsport Arena
Friday, August 1, 2025 at Edmonton | 6:00 p.m. at Edmonton EXPO Centre
Sunday, August 3, 2025 vs. Winnipeg | 5:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Friday, August 8, 2025 at Scarborough | 5:00 p.m. at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre
Sunday, August 10, 2025 at Ottawa | 12:00 p.m. at TD Place Arena

Additional 2025 Vancouver Bandits schedule notes:

The Bandits will play 10 of their 12 home games between Friday and Sunday, with all Sunday home games featuring a 5:00 p.m. PT tip-off
The expanded 2025 season will feature two regular season home games in May, three in June, four in July and one in August.
Vancouver’s longest road trip occurs from July 10-13 when it visits eastern conference clubs Niagara River Lions, Brampton Honey Badgers and Montréal Alliance, respectively.
The Bandits will play 14 games against western conference opponents; including four against the Edmonton Stingers and Saskatchewan Rattlers and three each against the Calgary Surge and Winnipeg Sea Bears, respectively

Vancouver Bandits Launch Bandits Community Foundation

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 18:45:31 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits professional basketball team is proud to announce the launch of the Bandits Community Foundation—the team’s dedicated charitable and philanthropic arm. This foundation is committed to empowering youth and driving positive change across British Columbia through innovative basketball and education programs.

The Bandits Community Foundation will prioritize creating pathways for youth and adults to excel both on and off the court. Its initiatives include supporting local nonprofits, increasing access to basketball in underserved communities, and creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to engage in the sport—all while fostering community connections and personal growth.

“We believe in the power of community and the ability of sports to inspire, unite, and create lasting change,” said Dylan Kular, Executive Director of the Bandits Community Foundation. “The launch of the Bandits Community Foundation is a commitment to giving back and empowering the next generation. Together, we are building a brighter future, one bucket at a time.”

To guide this effort, the Bandits Community Foundation will be guided by an esteemed Board of Directors:

Shawn Dheensaw, Basketball BC Executive Director
Teresa Gabriele, Canada Basketball national team alumni
Charles Hethey, O’Neil Law LLP Lawyer and Partner
Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits Basketball Team President
Peter Natrall, ISPARC Regional Coordinator
Kim Smith-Gaucher, 3x3 Canada Basketball Women’s Head Coach
Lucky Toor, TGL Group CPA’s LLP Co-Founder and Partner

Full biographies of the Foundation’s board members can be found here .

In addition to basketball-centred programs, the Foundation will support local charities, schools, and community organizations through scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and event collaborations. Its overarching vision is to ensure sport and education are accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic circumstances.

The Vancouver Bandits have long championed community engagement through initiatives such as:

Court Projects: Building and refurbishing outdoor basketball courts across BC
Bandits School Tour: Delivering cost-free basketball workshops and practice instruction to high school teams
Community Champion Initiative: Providing youth and families in need with the special experience of a Vancouver Bandits game
Indigenous Basketball Collective: A partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council to foster opportunities for Indigenous players and coaches

The Bandits Community Foundation invites individuals and businesses to join its mission, amplifying its impact through donations and partnerships. Every contribution helps provide vital tools, experiences, and support for youth to thrive.

For more information about the Bandits Community Foundation, its programs, or ways to get involved, visit www.banditsfoundation.ca .

Follow the Foundation’s journey on social media: Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter @BanditsFoundation

The Mindfulness of a Bandit: How Jon Giesbrecht brought mindfulness to Vancouver

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 18:40:14 GMT

Before graduating high school, Jon Giesbrecht knew his days playing basketball were numbered.

Perhaps like most kids who grew up in the 1990s, Giesbrecht fell in love with basketball because of Michael Jordan. He watched Space Jam and was forever hooked by the sport. There was something about the cartoon characters playing alongside the greatest basketball player of all time that motivated him to pick up a basketball.

“I loved the game and wanted to play as much as I could,” Giesbrecht said.

But halfway through high school, his younger brother, who is about four years younger than Giesbrecht, also started falling for basketball. The two were — and still are — best friends. Yet his younger brother’s team didn’t have a coach, and although their dad briefly occupied the position, he was never interested in the role for the long haul.

“My dad’s not really a basketball guy,” Giesbrecht said. “He’s a competitor, played some sports, but not a basketball guy.”

So as a 15-year-old, still in high school, Giesbrecht stepped in. In those days, Giesbrecht, a former point guard, realized that he enjoyed helping people find their potential more than playing the game himself.

He enjoyed leading drills that tested a player’s ability to think on court, like a point guard. Each practice was a science experiment, he said, where he’d try multiple different strategies to prepare the boys for anything that may happen in a game.

The team started winning. And winning. And winning. Year after year.

Giesbrecht ultimately ended up coaching the boys all the way through their Grade 12 season at John Taylor Collegiate west of Winnipeg, a year where the team went undefeated. Over half of the roster went on to play basketball in university.

The success led him to believe that maybe he could make a living out of coaching.

“A lot of winning early was cool for me because it was like, ‘maybe I’m a good coach?’ Maybe this is something I could do after [high school] and in my future,” Giesbrecht said.

“In the beginning, because we were winning, I’m like, man, it must be me.”

He studied DVDs on basketball philosophy late at night. He followed others like Bob Hurley and attempted to replicate the stoic, steady, and serious tendencies of coaches from previous generations.

He even started picking up an accent from his favourite coaches.

One time at a coaching clinic, Giesbrecht got nervous leading a drill. He started talking in a New Jersey accent, hoping that it would hide his nerves and prove he was an experienced coach like Hurley or Red Auerbach, two coaches from the New Jersey and New York area.

Not someone who was trying to mask his insecurities.

***

Growing up in Winnipeg, there were few things that Giesbrecht enjoyed as much as basketball.

In elementary school, he was a class clown who cracked jokes and enjoyed making people laugh. When he started Grade 4, however, he was diagnosed with a speech impediment. At the time, he didn’t know what it meant, or that he was the only kid in his class to see a speech therapist.

“One of the kids found out I was seeing a speech therapist, and then would make fun of the way I was talking,” Giesbrecht said. “That really made me go inward, where I was extroverted.”

When he turned inward, Giesbrecht started analyzing and judging himself for the impediment.

As he grew up, following the success of his younger brother’s team, he dived headfirst into coaching and set a few goals: coach professionally, coach in the NBA, make a million dollars.

In his late-teens and early-twenties, he started a degree in education at the University of Winnipeg. Rather than making new friends or attending parties, he drove across town to the University of Manitoba — sometimes skipping his own classes — to help coach the school’s varsity team.

“Almost every night, I was this introvert. I would go to my room and study basketball for two or three hours,” said Giesbrecht, adding that he was flunking classes early in university and questioning the importance of getting a degree as he set ambitious coaching goals.

“I was like a sicko, obsessed dude.”

The work eventually led to assistant coaching gigs with the University of Winnipeg and Manitoba, before he was hired as a full-time assistant for the University of Regina’s women’s basketball program in 2019. (Giesbrecht finished an arts degree before receiving the coaching job at the University of Regina.)

The COVID-19 pandemic then erupted during Giesbrecht’s first season in Regina, halting the team’s season and forcing him to reflect on his future as a coach. He also started spending more time with his first girlfriend at the time, who introduced him to yoga and spirituality led by Ram Dass, an American yoga guru and writer that popularized Eastern-styles of spirituality in North America.

Initially, the podcasts helped Giesbrecht take himself less seriously and become a looser coach. But he later started to post clips on Instagram about spirituality and its connection to basketball.

“Instead of watching [coaching] clinics, I’m listening to Ram Dass every day, thinking about basketball and how I can relate this back to the players,” Giesbrecht said.

On a whim, a friend who saw one of his videos invited Giesbrecht to work with his team in Italy, saying he could teach mindfulness — a type of meditation and practice that focuses on being in the moment — to athletes.

Giesbrecht left his job at the University of Regina and flew to Europe. The role only lasted a few months, however, it led him to believe that there was a place for mindfulness in a team’s player development system.

He worked with players pre-game, post-game and privately, reiterating the importance of getting centred mentally before checking into the game and acting as a confidant for someone’s off or on-court struggles.

“I love asking questions and observing,” said Giesbrecht, who has since launched a podcast and online academy, Play Free Basketball, that focuses on mindfulness. “We’d have a lot of one-on-one conversations with guys to help them like, ‘what’s going on?’ ‘Do you have someone you can talk to?’ Do you have someone you can vent to?’”

He just needed to find another program that was willing to test out his philosophies.

***

The best statistical season of Kyle Julius’ playing career came with the help of a sports psychologist.

Julius, now the head coach and general manager of the Vancouver Bandits who was recently extended through 2026 , played collegiately for Furman University and the University of Guelph in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In his final season at Guelph he averaged more than 21 points per game, was named a second-team All-Canadian and the school’s male athlete of the year.

He always looked for an edge as a player, and when he transitioned to coaching about a decade ago, he was surprised that more teams didn’t emphasize mental performance.

“It was always important for me to hire someone in the realm of sports psychologist, wellness coach,” said Julius, who joined the Bandits in 2019. He tried addressing mental performance earlier, but didn’t find a right person for the role until meeting and hiring Giesbrecht this year.

Vancouver would go on to have its best season in franchise history, winning 14 games in the regular season and coming within one victory of the CEBL championship.

“He was a massive contributor to our individual and team success this year,” Julius said. “I hope other teams in the league try and find guys like Jon, because at the end of the day, if there’s a bunch of Jon’s in our league, everybody’s going to be playing at a higher level.”

Although more professional sports teams are incorporating sports psychologists on staff, Giesbrecht’s role with the Bandits, mindfulness and player development coach, is one of its kind in the CEBL.

It’s an innovative position for a team that was recently named Franchise of the Year , Community Champion and Digital Excellence award winner at the league’s business awards.

The CEBL regular season is a sprint, with previously 20 and now 24 games per team before the playoffs. Due to the short time, Giesbrecht started working with the team months before the season. He also agreed to sign a confidentiality contract with players, ensuring he wouldn’t leak private information to other coaches on staff.

Throughout his coaching career, Giesbrecht noticed that many teams used buzzwords such as ‘play present’ or ‘be mentally tough’ in scrums to motivate players. But he never saw someone explain to a player how to get mentally tough in a game often filled with lead changes and runs.

“It’s cool to hear that when someone’s mic’d up and you’re listening to NBA on TNT, but what does that actually mean?” He said. “Does that mean anything to the player? Is that meaningful language?”

Giesbrecht worked with every member of the Bandits last season. He took about 80 per cent of players on on-court workouts and practiced things many other teams may overlook like subbing in and out of a game.

When he tells a player who recently subbed out to “gear down,” for example, it’s an instruction to slow their breathing and get out of a fight or flight mentality, a physiological reaction to stressful events. Most routines consisted of players taking a seat, feeling their feet on the floor, sitting tall and taking deep breaths, which releases serotonin and dopamine to combat the adrenaline of being on the floor.

“He’s one of the great people I’ve met,” said Diego Maffia, a former Bandit and current UVic Vike who became fond of a pre-game visualization, breathing and positive affirmation routine with Giesbrecht that he still uses today.

“It opened my eyes that I could control more of my emotions and before-game stress.”

Giesbrecht is already committed to returning to the Bandits next season. Aside from growing his own basketball academy and podcast, he hopes to help more players become mindful of new ways to improve their game. And deliver Vancouver a championship.

“We were one stop away from winning the championship,” Giesbrecht said. “Man, you give us another 20 games, I think we’re so much better.”

In less than one year, Giesbrecht has proven to be an integral part of Vancouver’s coaching staff, Julius said — someone who no longer needs to fake an accent to prove he’s a basketball coach.

“Jon is a huge piece to our coaching staff,” Julius said. “He’s a coach like anyone else.”

Vancouver Bandits Launch 2024-25 School Tour Program Across British Columbia

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 18:20:59 GMT

LANGLEY, BC, November 18th, 2024 - The Vancouver Bandits announced Monday the launch of its School Tour program for the 2024-25 school year. The program will see Vancouver Bandits’ Head Coach & General Manager, Kyle Julius, visit secondary schools across British Columbia to host basketball skill and training sessions with student-athletes and their teams.

Entering its second year, this free-of-charge initiative is part of the Bandits’ ongoing commitment to fostering youth basketball and building community connections throughout the province. The tour will run from November to February and will make weekly stops in different cities.

Starting today, communities that will be visited within the first two weeks of the program include schools in Abbotsford, Langley, Mission, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. The full schedule will be announced soon as additional communities are confirmed.

The School Tour program is proudly supported by community-minded sponsors who believe in the value of sports as a catalyst for positive change, including School Tour co-presenting sponsors, Preston Chevrolet and University Canada West (UCW).

“The commitment to community that Coach Julius has demonstrated with the support of the Vancouver Bandits organization here is impressive. At Preston Chevrolet, we are delighted to assist with this effort and many others for the benefit of youth in sport. Our proud partnership with The Vancouver Bandits grows better with each year,” said Peter Heppner, President of Preston Chevrolet.

“At University Canada West, we believe in the power of mentorship, teamwork and community engagement. We are proud to sponsor the Vancouver Bandits School Tour with Coach Kyle Julius offering local student-athletes the unique opportunity to learn from one of the best in the game,” said Dr. Bashir Makhoul, UCW President and Vice-Chancellor. “By bringing his expertise and passion directly to high school students, we're not just inspiring the next generation of athletes but also empowering them to dream bigger, work harder and aim higher in all aspects of their lives."

In its inaugural campaign, the Vancouver Bandits School Tour visited 68 high school teams across British Columbia from November 2023 to February 2024.

“With a reach that spans to numerous BC communities, the Vancouver Bandits School Tour program is an unparalleled opportunity to bring professional basketball to the heart of high schools, inspiring thousands of young athletes, volunteer coaches and strengthening community ties across the province,” said Dylan Kular, team president of Vancouver Bandits. “As the Bandits continue to build momentum for the upcoming season, Coach Julius and the entire organization are eager to connect with fans, students, volunteer coaches and educators alike through this impactful initiative.”

Indochino CEO Drew Green Named Chair of CEBL Board of Governors

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 21:34:31 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that Drew Green , an award-winning CEO, entrepreneur, and expert in launching and managing innovative high-growth companies, has been appointed as the first-ever Chair of the CEBL Board of Governors. Green has also become a co-owner of the league.

A visionary leader and accomplished entrepreneur, Green’s role as Chair will include instituting new formal governance at a Board level, working alongside the team to attract strategic investors, partners and international relationships for the league, and advise the commissioner and team owners on league business matters.

“Being able to attract an experienced and highly accomplished leader like Drew Green is an incredible win for the CEBL and for Canadian basketball,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner & Co-Founder of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. “Drew’s business success speaks for itself and his passion for the game mimics all involved in making the CEBL a homegrown and global success. His investment into the league demonstrates his strong belief of our bright future and recognizes the foundation that has been built during our formative years. Personally, I look forward to getting right to work with Drew on the next stage of the CEBL and the growth of our game.”

Green currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of INDOCHINO, one of Canada’s fastest-growing apparel brands, globally. Between 2014-24, INDOCHINO has secured over $100M in strategic capital commitments from major firms like Madrona Venture Partners, Highland Consumer, Dayang Group, Mitsui & Co. and Postmedia Network, expanding the company to 145 retail locations across Canada and the United States and has served customers in over 50 countries. In addition, he has procured partnerships with hundreds of celebrities and professional athletes for INDOCHINO, along with MLB, NHL, NBA and NFL teams. Drew’s family office DREWGREEN INC. has empowered dozens of entrepreneurs and 100’s of companies across Canada and the US, in industries ranging from Fintech, Edtech, eCommerce, through to Real Estate. A full business profile and list of Green’s accolades can be found HERE and HERE .

“Anyone that has been paying attention knows the CEBL is a rapidly growing and vibrant brand with boundless potential that has made great strides in a very short period of time,” said Green. “It is truly a league built by Canadians, for Canadians, and this resonates with my family – the epitome of a basketball family in Canada. We are basketball players, the sport is near and dear to our hearts, and we are fans of the CEBL. The league has been a catapult for the growth of the sport in our country, and I can’t wait to help lift basketball in Canada to new heights.”

Drew and his wife Andrea Dayco are basketball parents through and through. Their sons Liam (18) and Aidan (16) Dayco-Green are two of the top U19 prospects in Canada, and both represented by Tandem Sports and Entertainment Agency and NBA agent Elias Sbiet. Liam plays NCAA D1 at Florida Atlantic University for NCAA National Championship winner John Jakus, and Aidan is at Montverde Academy playing for legendary coach Kevin Boyle. Canada Basketball invited Aidan to its U17 camp at 15 in 2024, with Liam being invited to its U23 camp in 2025. For many years, the family has awarded annual scholarships to student athletes (basketball) at York University and University of British Columbia.

The CEBL, Canada’s largest professional sports league with 10 teams in six provinces, will embark on its seventh season next summer after again posting record growth numbers across the business in 2024. More than 4.2 million fans now follow the CEBL in Canada and internationally, culminating in over 9.6 million social media views this year.

Since 2022, the CEBL has seen an unprecedented 89% increase in league-wide attendance and a 97% increase in overall broadcast viewership. All games are available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and TSN+ , and in 2024, more than 50 CEBL games were broadcast live nationally on TSN , Canada’s Sports Leader, and Game+ , with an additional eight games in French on RDS . The league has also developed numerous significant partnerships in just six short years, including meaningful relationships with Canada Basketball, U SPORTS and iconic brands like Spalding and New Era.

Vancouver Bandits Named Franchise of the Year, Awarded Three Accolades at Annual CEBL Business Awards

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:02:09 GMT

LANGLEY, BC , Oct. 30, 2024 – The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that the Vancouver Bandits have been named Franchise of the Year as part of the CEBL’s annual Business Awards.

The yearly proceedings consist of four awards given in recognition of accomplishments at both the

team and executive levels. In addition to winning CEBL Franchise of the Year, the Bandits were also recognized as recipients in two other categories; Digital Excellence and Community Champion.

Overall, the Bandits officially won three of the four annual CEBL Business Awards .

“We are honoured to be recognized by the CEBL for these three awards of distinction. Each award is a product of the hard work of our front office, as well as the supportive and collaborative relationships that we have built with our partners,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

“We truly believe that our fans across British Columbia and beyond are some of the most passionate in all of professional sports and we look forward to elevating our digital footprint, increasing our community outreach and demonstrating to returning and prospective players that we are a leading destination for elite talent in the CEBL.”

The criteria for each award are as follows:

Franchise of the Year

Awarded to the franchise that best represents the values of the CEBL through good internal governance, engagement in the community, commitment to innovation, success on the basketball court and with revenue generation, demonstration of a long-term vision for sustainable business growth, and promotion of Canadian basketball.

The Vancouver Bandits experienced tremendous success both on and off the court in 2024.

In addition to winning three 2024 CEBL Business Awards (Digital Excellence, Community Champion,

Franchise of the Year), the club produced the league’s MVP (Tazé Moore), Canadian Player of the Year (Koby McEwen) and Coach of the Year (Kyle Julius) at the 2024 CEBL Awards, while earning a berth in the CEBL Championship Final for the second time in franchise history.

The Bandits registered their best regular season record ever with a 14-6 finish, securing first place overall and the top seed in the CEBL Playoffs for the first time. Vancouver went near-perfect at home (9-1) and posted a league-best plus-177 overall point differential, almost 50 points better than the next closest team.

Digital Excellence Award

Awarded to the franchise that best delivers graphic and video content that demonstrates excellence in quality of presentation and appeal, creativity and innovation, and overall consistency, while driving interactive engagement with designated targeted audiences that show a measurable impact for followers, partners, and for the franchise’s business and brand awareness. Voted 40% by quantifiable measures in-season from May 1 to August 31 and 60% by vote.

Delivering a consistent and engaging campaign throughout the 2024 CEBL season, the Vancouver Bandits finished third overall in quantifiable digital metrics considered for the award and sustained substantial growth across their digital platforms this summer. The Bandits amassed a league-best 8.5+ million social media impressions, finished second among CEBL clubs in newsletter subscription growth (36.07%), third in social media follower growth (14.38%), and had the third-most new CEBL+ subscriptions (preferred team upon registration). In addition, the Bandits continue to lead the way on TikTok with the highest followership, reach, engagement and overall growth of all CEBL teams.

Community Champion

Awarded to the franchise that has demonstrated a dedication to and understanding of local communities through notable, creative and sustainable outreach that prioritizes the CEBL values of innovation, inclusion, diversity, and meaningful experiences for fans and others.

In 2024, the Vancouver Bandits implemented and refined numerous community programs and initiatives that have made and continue to make a significant impact, none more notable than the club’s special edition jersey launch featuring iconic imagery of Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope. Proceeds from all jersey sales are donated to the Terry Fox Foundation in support of cancer research across Canada.

The Bandits also launched the Inspiring Bandits Award , a community-driven program that provides scholarships and ongoing mentorship to graduating high school girls and boys student-athletes competing at the BC School Sports Basketball Provincial Championships. The club also facilitated more than 50 middle or secondary school visits featuring free instructional training from Bandits head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius, often with both the school’s boys and girls basketball teams.

In addition, the club helped refurbish the Pitt Meadows Recreation Centre court in honour of RCMP

Constable Rick O’Brien, hosted their third annual BC Basketball Festival at Langley Events Centre, held three cultural heritage theme games (Filipino Heritage Game, South Asian Heritage Game, Indigenous Celebration Game) all ranking in the top five of highest attended Bandits games in 2024, and became the first CEBL team to launch a South Asian Heritage jersey.

The Bandits’ seventh CEBL season will tip-off in May 2025. A full season schedule is expected to be announced in the coming months.

Featuring newly added Courtside Club seating options and a revamped seating bowl configuration, season tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ 2025 season are on sale now at this link .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Fans interested in learning more are kindly invited to subscribe to Bandits Insider for updates or contact the Bandits at 604-455-8881 or tickets@thebandits.ca .

Kyle Julius Contract Extension - Press Conference

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 22:45:33 GMT

Hear from Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius after signing a two-year contract extension with the club, through to the 2026 CEBL season.

Vancouver Bandits Extend CEBL Coach of the Year Kyle Julius

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:54:28 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has extended its head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius, through the 2025 and 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) seasons in a year-round capacity.

Julius joined the club in 2020 during the Bandits’ second CEBL season and made an immediate impact, helping the team advance to its first-ever CEBL championship in his dual role. Fast forward to 2024 and Julius once again led the Bandits to the CEBL finals this past August, losing by just two points to the Niagara River Lions.

A native of Thunder Bay, Ont., Julius’ tenure with the Bandits has fuelled the rise of BC’s pro basketball team to become an annual CEBL contender. Vancouver has advanced to the CEBL postseason in each of his five seasons at the helm and has won various individual and team accolades along the way; including Julius being named Coach of the Year at the league’s annual awards last August in Montréal.

“The past five seasons with the Bandits have been an incredibly rewarding experience for my family and I. It has been truly amazing to have the opportunity to live here locally, build relationships in the community and help drive the growth of the Bandits and develop the club into the CEBL’s premier organization,” Julius said.

“We have created a winning culture here in BC through tremendous hard work, trials, tribulations and lots of special moments. Our coaching staff has consisted of great people, our players have been outstanding and our front office has contributed on so many different levels.”

The Bandits finished the 2024 season with a 14-6 record – the club’s best regular season result in franchise history. At 2024 CEBL Championship Weekend, Julius led the franchise to win its first-ever western conference championship.

The CEBL campaign is expanding to a 24-game regular season slate in 2025. With the club’s best-ever finish and numerous individual and team accomplishments to its name over the past five seasons under the direction of Julius, the organization is primed for an even bigger year ahead.

“Coach Kyle is an instrumental part of our organization. Over five seasons of Bandits Basketball, he has instilled core values in our roster and front office that continue to resonate and attract talent to our team. His leadership as a community ambassador during the CEBL offseason and a tactician on the court each summer has been inspiring to watch and we will continue to support his vision for winning basketball and community impact over the next two years,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

Organizational and roster development is integral to Julius’ approach to recruiting coaches and players. Since joining Vancouver, Julius has created a nurturing culture where players can learn and grow, often earning CEBL award recognition and receiving overseas and NBA contracts following a summer with the Bandits.

Players earning notable distinctions following a season with the Bandits include:

2024 CEBL Most Valuable Player: Tazé Moore
2024 CEBL Canadian Player of the Year: Koby McEwen
2022 CEBL Developmental Player of the Year: Thomas Kennedy
2021 Defensive Player of the Year: Brandon Gilbeck

“I am very grateful for everyone's hard work, sacrifice and support of our vision to become one of the best sports franchises in all of North America. I am thrilled to build on what we have all worked so hard to create here for the past five summers. We have the best fans in the league and I can't wait to get back out there in front of them again at LEC,” Julius said.

“On behalf of the Julius family, I want to genuinely thank our ownership of Kevin Dhaliwal and Bryan Slusarchuk, as well as our team president Dylan Kular for their unwavering support and collaborative efforts in building our vision and culture.”

In addition to establishing the Bandits as a perennial contender on the court, Julius has planted far-reaching roots in the province’s basketball community; conducting more than 50 school visits to middle and secondary schools across the Lower Mainland during the 2023-24 CEBL offseason, hosting virtual and in-person Basketball BC and Canada Basketball coaching seminars and leading weekly Train Like A Bandit skill sessions for high school boys and girls athletes this fall at the Bandits’ home venue of Langley Events Centre (LEC).

The Bandits’ seventh CEBL season will tip-off in May 2025. A full season schedule is expected to be announced in the coming months.

Featuring newly added Courtside Club seating options and a revamped seating bowl configuration, season tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ 2025 season are on sale now at this link .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Fans interested in learning more are kindly invited to subscribe to Bandits Insider for updates or contact the Bandits at 604-455-8881 or tickets@thebandits.ca .

Bandits Guard, CEBL MVP Tazé Moore Signs With NBA's Portland Trail Blazers

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 19:58:34 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that guard and reigning Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) most valuable player Tazé Moore has signed a two-way contract to join the Portland Trail Blazers for the upcoming NBA season.

The news was announced by the Trail Blazers on social media and the club’s website in a release . Moore appeared in four games for the Trail Blazers in the latter half of the 2023-24 season and split time with Portland’s NBA G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix, dressing in 22 games.

Moore was an integral member of the Bandits’ best season in franchise history as the club amassed a 14-6 record and advanced to the CEBL Championship. During the 2024 summer campaign, he led the Bandits in rebounds (8.1), assists (7.3) and ranked second in points (17.6) per game. Moore’s all-around performance helped him ascend the CEBL’s leaderboard, finishing first in assists and third in rebounds per game.

“The plan when we met Tazé was to help him advance his opportunities in the NBA. He worked extremely hard before and after every practice, never complained once all summer and led our team with maturity and poise. The sky truly is the limit for Tazé,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Featuring newly added Courtside Club seating options and a revamped seating bowl configuration, season tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ 2025 season are on sale now at this link .

Fans interested in learning more are kindly invited to subscribe to Bandits Insider for updates or contact the Bandits at 604-455-8881 or tickets@thebandits.ca .

Championship Weekend a family affair for Bandits brothers Duane Notice, Marcus Carr

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 22:45:31 GMT

Suzette Carr may soon need to commission some new artwork.

Her sons, Duane Notice and Marcus Carr, are set to suit up for the Vancouver Bandits in the CEBL Finals against the Niagara River Lions on Sunday at Montreal’s Verdun Auditorium.

And Notice can already envision what he might see upon re-entering his mom’s home if they win it all.

“I'm pretty sure she would frame the picture of us on the trophy together celebrating, so like I already visualize that just being in the kitchen or the living room blown up to the biggest proportions, like a movie poster type of vibe,” Notice said.

Notice, 29, is a veteran of 48 CEBL games dating back to the inaugural Hamilton Honey Badgers in 2019. When the Bandits signed Carr in July, it marked the 25-year-old’s first CEBL contract.

It also marked the first time the brothers, who are Toronto natives, have ever played together professionally.

“For me, I've never won a championship as a professional yet, so it's just like a lot of emotions going into it [Championship Weekend],” Notice said. “So I think it'll be cool for sure. Like something that we can both talk about at family functions and for the future and look back on it and be like, ‘Oh, we did that. That was a great experience.’”

Notice and Carr hadn’t played much, if any, organized basketball together before teaming up on the Bandits, let alone in professional settings.

And whenever they played one-on-one growing up, big brother would always come out on top, Carr said.

Now, though, they’re chasing a championship together.

“We don’t get the opportunity to be around each other that much,” Carr said. “So to just get the opportunity to train with each other and get better has been super cool. And then obviously knowing [head coach] Kyle [Julius] going back years, it’s really just family.”

If you scroll way back on Julius’ Instagram feed — exactly 10 years to the day of the CEBL Finals — you’ll find a picture including Julius, Notice, Carr and Calgary Surge head coach Tyrell Vernon from a workout at McMaster.

“I remember all those times, working out at Hamilton, at McMaster with Kyle and with my brother. So yeah it just brought back a whole bunch of memories, stuff you forget about,” Carr said.

Julius said it is full circle coaching the brothers in the CEBL now.

“That warms my heart, honestly. I spent a lot of time with them when they were young. They’re great kids, come from great family,” Julius said.

Notice’s basketball career has been a winding one. He is the all-time leader in games played at the University of South Carolina, where he made the 2017 Final Four. His pro career included stops with the G League’s Raptors 905 as well as in Poland before landing in the CEBL.

But during the 2020 bubble season, Notice suffered a torn Achilles that cost him the entirety of the following campaign.

“I'm just fortunate, man,” Notice said. “Having two doctors telling me that I wouldn't be able to play basketball ever again and now to be in the position to be competing in Championship Weekend. … I know I put in enough work so everything will take care of itself.

Notice returned to the Honey Badgers in 2022 before moving to Julius’ Bandits the following season.

“Duane does not get the credit he deserves. He’s a workhorse for us whether it’d be playing out of position, guarding bigger players, I got nothing but tremendous love and respect for Duane and he’s been a huge piece to our success,” Julius said.

Carr played prep school in Florida on the same team as RJ Barrett before joining NCAA Division 1 squads in Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Texas.

After his final college season in 2023, he went undrafted and signed a professional contract in Greece, where he played 10 games. He then moved to Israel to play before joining the Bandits around a month ago. He’s averaged about six points in aaround 12 minutes per game with Vancouver.

Fortuitously, his first games as a Bandit occurred in Ontario, and Suzette was able to attend.

“Not only was it our first few times playing together professionally at this level, but also it was like the first time we got to do it in front of our family as well. So it was like a kill two birds with one stone type of vibe,” Notice said.

The hope now is that the good fortune extends one more game. Once again, Suzette and family will be amongst the crowd in Montreal.

“Just the fact that we could share our love for basketball and have that be the anchor for both of us being together in one place has been just amazing. It’s an opportunity and experience that I hope that could last forever,” Notice said.

“But obviously I want to win a championship with him. I think that would cement it even better.”

Vancouver Bandits fall in tightly contested CEBL Championship game

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 15:51:28 GMT

The Niagara River Lions defeated the Vancouver Bandits in dramatic fashion, 97-95 , to hoist the championship trophy on Sunday at Montreal’s Verdun Auditorium.

“I can’t even put it into words,” said Khalil Ahmad, who scored the CEBL Championship Final-winning basket. “This is my third summer here trying to get a chip and we finally got it done.”

But while the game ended with a celebratory howl for Niagara, the Bandits just as nearly stole the victory.

Niagara led 87-77 at the start of Target Score Time, but Vancouver slowly chipped away by winning rebound battles and watching a tired River Lions squad consistently settle for three-pointers.

Eventually, Niagara’s lead was whittled to two points at 94-92. With the River Lions in possession, Raso put the ball in the hands of two-time Clutch Player of the Year Khalil Ahmad, who drove to the net and got fouled, putting his team two free throws away from glory.

Ahmad made the first but missed the second.

“I can’t believe he missed the free throw,” head coach Victor Raso said. “I’ve never seen him miss a free throw like that, I don’t think ever. And then he just followed that up the next possession.”

In a seeming flash, Vancouver secured the rebound, came back down the court and tied the game at 95 courtesy of a Koby McEwen three-pointer — leaving both teams within a basket of the championship.

But that was as close as the Bandits would get.

Ahmad won the championship when he beat two defenders down the lane and rattled home a floater.

“That’s the biggest bucket of my life for sure. To get a chip like that on the third [season with Niagara], that’s the biggest bucket of my life. I can’t even put it into words,” Ahmad said.

Mitch Creek, who led the Bandits with 26 points, said his team put itself behind the eight-ball with a slow third quarter.

“When you put yourselves in a position to have to fight back, it’s really hard to repeatedly do that. We almost got lucky twice,” said Creek, whose Bandits survived a roller-coaster semifinal against Calgary. “Some of us might have to go to the casino and roll a few dice tonight and try to win back some of the emotions.

“We go back to the hotel now and regroup, have a few beers, pat each other on the ass one more time and fly back to Vancouver and everyone goes on their own way,” Creek said.

One of the league’s Original Six teams, the River Lions were the model of consistency, making the playoffs in every season. The flip side of that is they soon become known as the team which couldn’t get it done when it counted most.

No longer.

“This organization has been elite in the CEBL, but we never had the validation of a championship,” head coach Victor Raso said. “We just needed this as an organization.”

While Ahmad, who scored 23 points, played hero, the River Lions’ victory was the result of a full team effort.

Omari Moore stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Aaryn Rai contributed 15 points and seven rebounds while leading the team with a plus-11 mark. Team captain Kimbal Mackenzie, the emotional leader of the team, added four points to reach 500 for his CEBL career.

In the midst of the on-court celebration, Moore almost seemed surprised at his emotions. “It means something,” he bellowed.

Rai was sure to locate his parents amid the chaos, giving them each a big hug.

But it was perhaps Montreal native Nathan Cayo, playing in front of friends and family, who made the biggest impact, leading the team with 25 points while also adding eight rebounds and four assists.

“It feels amazing. To have all my family here is a blessing. I’m just grateful,” Cayo said.

For Vancouver, which won the West with a 14-6 record, it was not the end to their season they’d envisioned when arriving in Montreal earlier this week.

League MVP Tazé Moore was held to just six points on 2-for-11 shooting. More damningly, the man who led the league with 7.3 assists per game in the regular season was held without a single helper in the one that mattered most.

Creek also chipped in 13 rebounds, while McEwen scored 20 points and big man Nick Ward added 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Creek said the loss was “sad, hard and tough.”

“You do so much and if you don’t feel emotion after a loss in the championship game it means you haven’t really done the work and put in the time and effort,” he said.

“You sit with it for a little bit. You sit and watch on court. You watch them cheer and chant and carry on like a pack of idiots just like we would as Bandits. You almost enjoy watching someone else win because you know at some point you’re going to get that opportunity.”

An exciting first half saw the teams trade leads throughout.

The Bandits built a five-point edge in the first quarter, only for the River Lions to roar back and go up 23-20 when the buzzer sounded on the frame.

Niagara kept it rolling early in the second and led by as many as eight, but Vancouver punched back with a 14-2 run. A late Duane Notice three-pointer sent the Bandits into halftime with a 46-44 advantage.

Notably, Tazé Moore struggled through the first 20 minutes, managing just two points and taking his frustrations out in an unsportsmanlike foul against Niagara’s Moore.

After halftime, the River Lions slowly started to take control. An 11-0 run powered them to what was then a game-high 12-point lead, and the East champions carried a 71-62 advantage into the fourth quarter.

Tension built when the clock turned off and the game began featuring plenty of stoppages for timeouts and reviews.

For a few moments, it seemed as though the Bandits would pull off the biggest Target Score Time comeback in CEBL playoff history.

Instead, the River Lions roared to their long-awaited championship.

Featuring newly added Courtside Club seating options and a revamped seating bowl configuration, season tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ 2025 season are on sale now at this link . Fans are invited to capitalize on limited time early bird pricing on season tickets until Aug. 16.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Niagara (08/11/2024)

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 22:34:01 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Niagara River Lions on August 11, 2024.

Bandits, River Lions set to clash in high-powered CEBL Finals

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 15:56:40 GMT

A first-time CEBL champion will be crowned on Sunday.

In a battle of the regular season’s top teams, the Niagara River Lions (14-6) and Vancouver Bandits (14-6) will square off in the 2024 CEBL Championship Final at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT at Verdun Auditorium in Montreal. Broadcast coverage of the game is available on TSN, RDS and Next Level Sports & Entertainment, while you can live stream the contest on CEBL+, TSN+, Courtside 1891, RDS.ca and the RDS app.

The River Lions and Bandits, who were then known as Fraser Valley, are two of the league’s original six teams from the inaugural 2019 campaign.

But neither has climbed the championship mountain.

Niagara’s come agonizingly close, reaching the playoffs every year and making a Finals appearance in 2021. Similarly, Vancouver has only missed the post-season once, in its first season, and also made one Finals run in 2020.

The parallels don’t end there. Both teams lost their lone Finals games to Xavier Moon-led Edmonton Stingers squads.

And both survived intense semifinals battles just to get to their second.

The River Lions, despite drawing an easy matchup in the 6-14 Montreal Alliance on paper, were forced to deal with a raucous crowd and a feisty defence, which led to 27 missed three-pointers and 11 bricked free throws.

But like he has so many times in the past, two-time Clutch Player of the Year Khalil Ahmad scored Niagara’s final six points to snatch a 78-75 victory from the jaws of defeat.

The West final was more offensively minded as the Bandits and Calgary Surge traded blows for 36 minutes.

But scoring dried up during Target Score Time, and both teams had multiple chances to win it before a Zach Copeland triple finally ended the proceedings with an 89-87 Bandits victory.

River Lions head coach Victor Raso said he likes how it all shook out for his side.

“Vancouver survived a game because a guy missed an open layup. We had to survive the worst shooting performance of the year, and we just survived an incredible Ottawa team [in the East semifinal]. I like where we’re at,” Raso said.

Despite the River Lions’ shooting woes, the Finals present a fascinating offensive battle between the league’s top-two regular-season scoring teams.

The Bandits just barely outscored the River Lions 94.7 to 94.1 points per game, and the West side also held a slight shooting edge at 46.3 per cent to 46.1 per cent.

Niagara, though, will be without starting guard Jahvon Blair, its second-leading scorer who returned to his professional team in France.

On the other side, the Bandits seemed re-energized by the late-season arrival of Australian big man Mitch Creek, who scored 25.8 points per game in six regular-season contests and added a franchise playoff record 27 points against the Surge.

The teams’ lone matchup of the season came on Canada Day, when a Tazé Moore triple-double powered a 10-83 blowout victory for the Bandits.

Moore went on to win MVP, while head coach Kyle Julius took top coaching honours and Koby McEwen was named Canadian Player of the Year.

The River Lions earned just one individual accolade, a Sixth Man of the Year nod for forward Aaryn Rai.

But none of that matters now, as one team will spend Sunday night celebrating with the championship trophy.

Vancouver Bandits Advance to CEBL Championship, Defeat Calgary Surge

Sat, 10 Aug 2024 14:01:44 GMT

Mitch Creek’s 27-point performance helped the Vancouver Bandits stave off a late Calgary Surge rally on Friday for an 89-87 win at Verdun Auditorium.

The import forward set a franchise single-game playoff scoring record with the game-high performance as he helped the Bandits advance to their second-ever Championship Final appearance.

Helping the Aussie on the night was league MVP Tazé Moore who finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and five assists and Nick Ward who put up 17 points, eight rebounds and five blocks off the bench.

Zach Copeland had arguably his quietest game of the season, finishing with just nine points on 3-for-11 shooting, but that didn’t stop Bandits’ head coach Kyle Julius from having the import guard on the floor for Target Score Time.

“There’s no way we can play (Target Score Time) without Zach,” Bandits head coach Kyle Julius said post-game reflecting on the victory.

Julius’ gamble paid off as Copeland received a pass off a Koby McEwen offensive rebound and drilled his lone three of the contest to send Vancouver to the Championship Final.

On the other side, the Surge fell just short of a second consecutive Final appearance despite erasing what was once an 11-point second half deficit. Leading the charge was Corey Davis Jr. who finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

“We knew it was going to be a very hard-nosed basketball game,” Davis Jr. said following the loss.

“The ball didn’t land the way we wanted to, we had multiple chances to win the game … the basketballs didn’t let the ball bounce our way.”

Behind Davis. Jr was Malcolm Duvivier who scored 16 points off the bench with on four-for-eight shooting from distance and Sean Miller-Moore who put up 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

It came as no surprise that two of the league’s top defensive squads opened Friday’s contest by mucking things up inside. Neither team found any early success in the paint as Vancouver and Calgary both shot below 40 per cent inside the arc through the first 10 minutes of play.

What ended up splitting the difference was a quarter-ending 9-2 run by the Surge courtesy of timely shooting from distance. Calgary knocked down back-to-back-to-back triples -- capped off by Justin Jackson hitting one from the right corner at the buzzer – to lead 23-20 after the first frame.

It was short-lived, however, as the Bandits went on a 9-2 run of their own in the second quarter.

Creek spearheaded the charge as he scored all nine of those points as part of a game-high 18 in the first half. Vancouver made sure not to waste the import’s effort as Copeland drilled a step back jumper from the left elbow in the dying seconds of the frame to put the Bandits up 47-41, the largest lead of either team at the break.

“It’s about taking what comes,” Creek said on his record-setting performance after the win. “It’s a reflection of the team and culture we have … it’s not about points or steals … it’s about winning.”

After struggling to score against the Surge’s interior defence in the opening quarter, Vancouver found success in the second. By halftime, the Bandits had shot 52 per cent from inside the arc for 20 points in the paint (plus-12).

Vancouver kept that trend going as action resumed in the second half, going on a 10-0 run in third quarter, scoring all but two of those points at the rim. The most emphatic basket of that run came courtesy of a fastbreak alley-oop dunk from Moore off a slick feed from Copeland.

And despite trailing by as many as 11 points in the third, the Surge responded with an 11-4 run that once again came courtesy of knocking down shots from distance. Calgary hit three triples in the final three minutes of the frame to cut the deficit to 70-67 ahead of the fourth.

The Surge hit 12 threes (plus-seven) through the first 30 minutes of play on a 44 per cent clip, once again proving how three-point shooting can be the great equalizer.

Calgary hit four more threes in the fourth quarter -- a Davis Jr. triple in Target Score Time even briefly giving the Surge an 83-82 lead – but ultimately it wasn’t enough. Ward threw down a dunk and split a pair of free throws and Creek drilled a three before Copeland supplanted himself as the game’s hero by knocking down the game winner.

“It was a dog fight,” Surge head coach Tyrell Vernon said reflecting on the loss. “I’m proud of my group, it’s not the way we wanted it to end but definitely proud … sometimes (shots) don’t fall.”

Vancouver’s efficiency inside the arc (50 per cent) proved too much for Calgary to overcome who simply couldn’t keep up, shooting 25 per cent on two-point shots. The Bandits ended up a plus-28 (42-14) on points in the paint.

“For us it’s always about one more thing and right now it’s about one more win and we’ll be champions,” said Creek.

Up Next

With the win, the Bandits await the winner of Friday’s Eastern Conference Final between the Niagara River Lions and host Montréal Alliance. Sunday’s championship game tips off at 3 p.m. PT on TSN.

All CW24 games will be televised live on TSN and RDS in Canada, NLSE in the United States, and available to stream on CEBL+, TSN+ and Courtside 1891 for subscribers outside North America.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Calgary (08/09/2024)

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 22:25:23 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on August 9, 2024

Bandits square off with Surge in Western Conference Final

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 15:38:36 GMT

The Western Conference was a battle all season.

Soon, someone will emerge as the last team standing.

The Vancouver Bandits (14-6) meet the Calgary Surge in the West final on Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. MT at Montreal’s Verdun Auditorium. Broadcast coverage of the game is available on TSN and Next Level Sports & Entertainment, while you can live stream the contest on CEBL+, TSN+ and Courtside 1891.

The winner will play for the CEBL championship trophy on Sunday against either the Niagara River Lions or host Montreal Alliance.

Despite the tough nature of the conference, Vancouver held down the top spot for most of the season thanks to an 8-2 start.

And while the second half wasn’t as smooth for the Bandits, they still finished the campaign with wins in six of their last 10.

On Wednesday, the Bandits dominated the league’s awards gala as point guard Tazé Moore was named MVP, Kyle Julius took top coaching honours and Koby McEwen was crowned the top Canadian.

“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, for me to play well, for me to play free,” McEwen said moments after winning the award. “I don’t wanna say I’m not happy, but definitely not satisfied. There’s a lot of things we gotta do this weekend, just trying to stay even keel about things. But I’m definitely grateful for the league recognizing me and stuff like that.”

While Moore and McEwen buoyed the Bandits for most of the season, the team also received some late reinforcements in Canadian brothers Duane Notice and Marcus Carr as well as Australian big man Mitch Creek.

Over six contests, Creek averaged 25.8 points per game to go with eight rebounds and 2.7 assists.

Meanwhile, the season wasn’t as smooth-sailing for Calgary, which lost two of its first seven games to dig an early hole.

But the Surge seemed to discover their identity as a fast, physical and never-say-die squad in a 97-94 win over the Bandits last month, the second of a four-game winning streak that launched them firmly into playoff contention.

Despite missing some key players in NBA Summer League, a next-man-up mentality led by Mathieu Kamba, Corey Davis Jr., and mid-season addition Kyler Edwards helped propel the Surge forward.

Davis Jr., led the team with 22.5 points and seven assists per game while Sean Miller-Moore hauled in 10 rebounds per game.

The Bandits won the season series 2-1 over the Surge.

Tazé Moore, Koby McEwen Highlight Winners at 2024 CEBL Awards

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 12:50:46 GMT

Kyle Julius named Coach of the Year as four Bandits honoured at awards show in Montréal

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced the winners of the 2024 CEBL Awards and the All-CEBL Teams at an event at Le Centre Sheraton Montréal on Wednesday evening. The Vancouver Bandits had three winners, including guard Tazé Moore who took home top honours as Most Valuable Player, while guard Koby McEwen was named Canadian Player of the Year and Kyle Julius earned Coach of the Year honours.

The full list of award winners is as follows:

2024 CEBL Award Winners

Most Valuable Player: Tazé Moore (Vancouver Bandits)

Canadian Player of the Year: Koby McEwen (Vancouver Bandits)

Coach of the Year: Kyle Julius (Vancouver Bandits)

Sixth Man of the Year: Aaryn Rai (Niagara River Lions)

Developmental Player of the Year: Simon Hildebrandt (Winnipeg Sea Bears)

Defensive Player of the Year: Lloyd Pandi (Ottawa BlackJacks)

Clutch Player of the Year (Co-Winners): Tevin Brown (Ottawa), Stefan Smith (Calgary Surge)

Fox 40 Officiating Recognition Award: Vernon Bovell

All CEBL award winners will receive a customized ring from Jostens, the official Supplier of Awards and Rings of the CEBL, and a special gift on behalf of the league’s partner at Foot Locker.

In his first CEBL season, Moore made major contributions in numerous stat categories for the Bandits, finishing first in league average in assists (7.3), third in rebounds (8.1), fourth in steals (1.6) and 10th in points per game (17.6). His 124 total assists were the second-most in a single season in CEBL history and he became the first player to record two triple-doubles in the same regular season. The 6-foot-5 guard’s first triple-double on June 13 was the first in Bandits’ history and part of a historic night that saw Moore score a franchise-record 35 points, while adding 16 rebounds and 11 assists in a win over Winnipeg.

McEwen led the CEBL in three-pointers made per game (tie-3.4), was second in total three-pointers made (54), fifth in three-point percentage (44.3), and ranked fourth among Canadians in total points (295), all of which were career highs. The Toronto native’s career season for the Bandits also included personal bests in average points per game (18.4), field goals made (5.9), free throw percentage (88.3), offensive rebounds (1.2), rebounds (tie-4.8), steals (1.2) and blocked shots (0.5).

Julius was named CEBL Coach of the Year after leading Vancouver to its best record in franchise history (14-6) and a first-place overall finish for the first time. The Bandits went near-perfect at home (9-1) and posted a league-best plus-177 overall point differential, nearly 50 points better than the next closest team.

Rai appeared in all 20 games for the River Lions in 2024, averaging 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 24.2 minutes per game, and was tied for third in the league with three Target Score Winners. Despite primarily coming off the bench for Niagara, the 6-foot-6 forward ranked in the top three or four in numerous major stat categories for the team.

Hildebrandt took home the Developmental Player of the Year award (formerly named U SPORTS Player of the Year) for the second consecutive season. He appeared in all 20 games for the Sea Bears in 2024, averaging 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. The Winnipeg native broke out for 19 points, seven rebounds and five three-pointers on July 20 against rival Saskatchewan.

Pandi set a single-season CEBL record with 44 steals in 2024 for the BlackJacks, good enough for 2.3 steals per game – a half steal ahead of the next closest eligible player. The Ottawa native also averaged 3.8 defensive rebounds, 5.7 total rebounds, and nearly a block per game (0.7) this season, while contributing on the offensive end with averages of 11.9 points and 2.8 assists in 19 games. He is a previous two-time winner of the U SPORTS Player of the Year award (now named Developmental Player of the Year) in 2020 and 2021.

For the first time in league history, there was co-winners of the Clutch Player of the Year award presented annually to the player with the most Target Score Winners. Ottawa’s Tevin Brown and Calgary’s Stefan Smith shared the league lead in Target Score Winners with four apiece this season.

Bovell took home the Fox 40 Officiating Recognition Award, presented to the official who best embodies the CEBL’s goal of development of the sport of basketball in Canada by both maintaining a high level of performance and personal improvement, while also elevating their teammates and the league as a whole. The official must foster a work environment that promotes communication, good sportsmanship and celebrates the differences that make up the mosaic of the sport of basketball.

The 2024 All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian Teams were also revealed at the CEBL Awards:

All CEBL First Team : Tazé Moore (Vancouver Bandits), Justin Wright-Foreman (Winnipeg Sea Bears), Cat Barber (Scarborough Shooting Stars), Khalil Ahmad (Niagara River Lions), Nick Ward (Vancouver Bandits)

All CEBL Second Team : Jahvon Blair (Niagara River Lions), Koby McEwen (Vancouver Bandits), Teddy Allen (Saskatchewan Rattlers), Jalen Harris (Saskatchewan Rattlers), Chris Smith (Montréal Alliance)

CEBL All-Canadian Team : Jahvon Blair (Niagara River Lions), Koby McEwen (Vancouver Bandits), Sean Miller-Moore (Calgary Surge), Mathieu Kamba (Calgary Surge), Brody Clarke (Edmonton Stingers)

Award nominees, winners and All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian Teams are determined by votes cast by the league’s head coaches, general managers, assistant coaches, select league broadcasters, and internal media personnel. Team representatives are prohibited from voting for a player or head coach from their own team.

The CEBL Awards was the first official event of 2024 Championship Weekend (CW24), which is being held in Montréal, QC between August 7-11. The Conference Final doubleheader is set for Friday, August 9 at Verdun Auditorium, kicking off with the West’s Calgary Surge and Vancouver Bandits at 5:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. PT), followed by the East’s Montréal Alliance and Niagara River Lions at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). The winners then square off Sunday, August 11 at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT) in the CEBL Championship Final at Verdun Auditorium. For full details on the CEBL’s playoff format and 2024 matchups, please visit https://www.cebl.ca/playoffs .

The Championship Final halftime show will be performed by multi-platinum and award-winning recording artist Fefe Dobson, while Montréal-based award-winning rapper, FouKi, and Laval-based award-winning French rapper, Shreez, will perform at the Conference Finals. Ticket and event information is available at cebl.ca/cw24 .

All CW24 games will be televised live on TSN and RDS in Canada, NLSE in the United States, and available to stream on CEBL+, TSN+ and Courtside 1891 for subscribers outside North America.

All 2024 CEBL playoff games will be televised live on TSN in Canada and NLSE in the United States, and available to stream on CEBL+, TSN+ and Courtside 1891 for subscribers outside North America.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits’ Tazé Moore and Koby McEwen Headline 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League Award Nominees

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 15:37:57 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday the individual award nominees for the 2024 CEBL Awards being held Wednesday, August 7 at Le Centre Sheraton Montreal at 7 p.m. ET. The CEBL Awards is the first official event of 2024 Championship Weekend (CW24) in Montreal, Quebec between August 7-11.

Most Valuable Player finalists Tazé Moore of the Vancouver Bandits and Justin Wright-Foreman of the Winnipeg Sea Bears highlight the award nominees that were revealed for the six player categories. In total, there will be eight individual CEBL awards presented in 2024.

2024 CEBL Award Nominees

Most Valuable Player: Tazé Moore (Vancouver Bandits), Justin Wright-Foreman (Winnipeg Sea Bears)

Canadian Player of the Year: Jahvon Blair (Niagara River Lions), Koby McEwen (Vancouver Bandits)

Sixth Man of the Year: Aayrn Rai (Niagara River Lions), Stefan Smith (Calgary Surge)

Developmental Player of the Year: Simon Hildebrandt (Winnipeg Sea Bears), David Walker (Brampton Honey Badgers)

Defensive Player of the Year: Omari Moore (Niagara River Lions), Lloyd Pandi (Ottawa BlackJacks)

The 2024 CEBL Coach of the Year, Clutch Player of the Year (most Target Score Winners), Fox 40 Officiating Recognition Award winner and All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian teams will also be announced at the CEBL Awards.

All CEBL award winners will receive a customized ring from Jostens, the official Supplier of Awards and Rings of the CEBL, and a special gift on behalf of the league’s partner at Foot Locker.

Award nominees and winners are determined by votes cast by the league’s head coaches, general managers, assistant coaches, select league broadcasters and internal media personnel. Team representatives are prohibited from voting for a player or head coach from their own team.

Tazé Moore earned his first MVP nomination in his first CEBL season after major contributions in numerous stat categories for the Bandits, finishing first in league average in assists (7.3), third in rebounds (8.1), fourth in steals (1.6) and 10thin points per game (17.6). His 124 total assists were the second-most in a single season in CEBL history and he became the first player to record two triple-doubles in the same regular season.

Wright-Foreman led the CEBL in scoring average (26.3) for the second consecutive season and was nominated for MVP again after finishing as last year’s runner-up behind Teddy Allen. He also finished second in league average in three pointers made (3.4), third in assists (6.2) and three-point percentage (45.7), and set a league-record with 16 assists June 27 against Niagara.

Canadian sharpshooters Blair and McEwen were both nominated for a CEBL award for the first time in their careers. Blair finished third in the league and first among Canadians in total points (329), and was third among all players in three-pointers made (53), free throw percentage (tie-83.5) and Target Score Winners (tie-3). McEwen led the CEBL in three-pointers made per game (tie-3.4), was second in total three-pointers made (54), fifth in three-point percentage (44.3), and ranked fourth among Canadians in total points (295).

Rai and Smith were also first-time CEBL award nominees, making significant contributions off the bench for their respective clubs in 2024. Rai appeared in all 20 games for the River Lions, averaging 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 24.2 minutes per game, and was tied for third in the league with three Target Score Winners. Despite suiting up in just 10 games for the Surge, Smith tied for the league lead with four Target Score Winners, while posting averages of 18.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 24.2 minutes per game.

Hildebrandt and Walker are the same nominees for the Developmental Player of the Year award (previously named U SPORTS Player of the Year) as last season, which saw the former take home the 2023 hardware. The only difference is Walker’s team which is Brampton this year after playing for the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2023. Both players made a consistent contribution again in 2024, highlighted by Hildebrandt’s 19 points, seven rebounds and five three-pointers on July 20 against Saskatchewan, and Walker’s 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%) from the field on June 30 vs. Scarborough.

Omari Moore and Pandi locked things down on the defensive side of the ball for their teams all season. Moore, a first-time CEBL award finalist, finished third in the league and first among guards with 20 total blocked shots and an average of 1.5 blocked shots per game. Pandi set a single-season CEBL record with 44 steals, good for 2.3 steals per game – a half steal ahead of the next closest eligible player. Pandi is a previous two-time winner of the CEBL’s U SPORTS Player of the Year award (now Developmental Player of the Year award) in 2020 and 2021.

The four-team CW24, hosted this year at Verdun Auditorium in Montreal, features a Conference Finals doubleheader on Friday, August 9, and the CEBL Championship Final on Sunday, August 11.

As the top-ranked team in the CEBL’s western conference, the Bandits have earned a bye to advance directly to the Western Conference Final on Aug. 9, which will tip-off on TSN national TV at 2:30 p.m. PT.

The Championship Final halftime will be performed by multi-platinum and award-winning recording artist Fefe Dobson, while Montréal-based award-winning rapper, FouKi, and Laval-based award-winning French rapper, Shreez, will perform at the Conference Finals. Ticket and event information is available at cebl.ca/cw24 .

The 2024 CEBL Playoffs begin Friday, August 2 with a Play-In round doubleheader at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET. For full details on the CEBL’s playoff format and 2024 matchups, please visit: https://www.cebl.ca/playoffs

All 2024 CEBL playoff games will be televised live on TSN in Canada and NLSE in the United States, and available to stream on CEBL+, TSN+ and Courtside 1891 for subscribers outside North America.

All CW24 games in Montreal will also be televised on RDS.

Late Rally Comes Up Short as Vancouver Bandits Prepare for Western Conference Finals

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 17:34:41 GMT

Although not the result that the Vancouver Bandits wanted on Sunday night on the road against the Montréal Alliance, BC’s pro ball club can take solace in the fact that it has cemented its best regular season record (14-6) in franchise history despite the 80-78 loss.

The soon-to-be hosts of CEBL Championship Weekend , held off a late comeback from the first-place Vancouver squad in a defensive battle at Verdun Auditorium.

Alliance head coach Derrick Alston Sr. said competitiveness was the goal entering the matchup.

“I think we dominated the game at certain points. [In the] third quarter we kind of had some slippage, but we did enough to win and usually we're on the wrong side of games like that. So I was very happy to be on the right side of it this time,” Alston Sr. said.

While both teams struggled from the field in the regular season finale, it was an out-of-character performance for the high-scoring Bandits’ offence. Vancouver shot 35 per cent from the floor, 16 per cent from three, 54 per cent from the free-throw line and missed 17 free throws in the loss.

Ahmed Hill knocked down a game-high 19 points for Montréal in the squad’s second consecutive victory. It’s the first time the Alliance won back-to-back games this season.

Christian Rohlehr contributed 14 points off the bench on 6-8 shooting, in addition to six rebounds and two blocks. Devonté Bandoo added 12 points, including the game-winning and-one.

“I was just doing my job finishing - trying to finish everything,” Rohlehr said.

On the other side, all five Bandits’ starters reached double figures in the loss. Mitch Creek and Kur Jongkuch led the way with double-doubles. Creek notched a team-high 18 points to go along with 11 boards, while Jongkuch tallied 13 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks.

Tazé Moore and Duane Notice each scored 13 points as well, including a massive poster dunk from Moore during Target Score Time.

The loss snaps a four-game winning streak for Vancouver after clinching a berth in the Western Conference Final against Scarborough on Friday night.

After the game, Bandits’ head coach Kyle Julius said he was proud of the way the team performed in a game without playoff implications at the end of a road trip.

“It didn't mean anything to us and we came back and fought like that – we were short-handed. I'm really proud of the guys and I think we showed a lot of grit and toughness,” Julius said.

Vancouver got off to a blazing start with a 10-0 run that included a pair of triples from Zach Copeland. Shortly after a timeout, Montréal fought back with a 14-2 run to take the lead.

Back-to-back inside finishes from Creek and Nick Ward regained the lead for the Bandits. However, Ward was ejected after picking up an unsportsmanlike foul and a technical.

The Montréal defence locked down at the beginning of the second quarter and held Vancouver without a field goal for the opening six minutes. The Alliance went on a 19-5 run during that stretch, powered by the inside presence of Rohlehr.

The high-powered Vancouver offence was limited to just 11 points in the frame with seven of those points coming at the charity stripe.

The defensive battle continued into the third quarter, with both teams going roughly three and a half minutes without a field goal. However, an adjustment to zone and strong post play from Jongkuch helped the Bandits inch their way back into the game.

A stepback jumper in the mid-range from Marcus Carr gave the Bandits the lead but that seemed to provide Montréal with a spark. The Alliance ended the third on a 9-2 run to take a 60-54 lead into the final frame.

Montréal maintained the lead in a free-throw-heavy fourth quarter. Moore pulled Vancouver closer with back-to-back buckets near the midway point of the frame, but a massive three from Hill provided the Alliance with a cushion heading into Target Score Time.

The two squads traded buckets early in Target Score Time, putting Montréal four points away from victory. After an absurd poster dunk from Moore, Bandoo hit a free throw to push the Alliance closer. However, the Alliance went cold from long range and the Bandits went on a 9-1 run to regain the lead and put them two points away from a win. Bandoo allowed the Montréal fans a sigh of relief with an old-fashioned three-point play to end it.

What’s next?

Both teams will have an 11-day break to await their opponents in the CEBL Championship Weekend Conference Final on Friday, August 9.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Montréal (07/28/2024)

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 18:36:41 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Montréal Alliance on July 28, 2024

Bandits close out regular season today in Montréal

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 15:55:27 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits will wrap up a three-game road trip against the Montréal Alliance on Sunday in a potential championship preview.

The game is set for 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT on Game+, streaming live on CEBL+, TSN+, Courtside 1891, RDS.ca, and the RDS App.

The two sides will meet in the regular season finale at Verdun Auditorium – the destination for CEBL Championship Weekend from August 9-11.

Each team has a spot clinched in the Conference Final on August 9, though they took different routes to get there.

The Alliance had a spot in the Eastern Conference Final secured at the beginning of the season due to hosting and the team struggled in stretches of the season. Montréal enters the final contest of the campaign at 5-14 – sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference.

However, the hosts come into Sunday’s matchup with positive momentum. A sharp fourth quarter on both ends pushed the Alliance to an 89-72 victory over the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Friday night. A two-way clinic from Guillaume Payen-Boucard aided Montréal in snapping a four-game losing streak.

The Alliance will look to replicate the performance in the final game of the regular season as a nearly two-week break awaits.

It’s a situation the Vancouver Bandits are all too familiar with. CEBL Championship Weekend was hosted by Vancouver at Langley Events Centre last year and the Bandits also near the bottom of the Conference ahead of a long break.

While the team will still need to stay in form over 11 days without games, this iteration of the Bandits has proven itself to be a dominant force in the league. Vancouver clinched first place in the Western Conference and a bye to Championship Weekend with a 104-90 win in Scarborough on Friday.

Twenty-two points from guard Marcus Carr drove the Bandits to their fourth straight win. If Vancouver emerges victorious again, the team would tie its longest win streak of the season ahead of Championship Weekend.

Vancouver’s last meeting with Montréal came in the season opener at Langley Events Centre. The Bandits downed the Alliance 95-75 in that outing, though injuries and acquisitions have slightly changed the look of both teams in the interim.

Montréal head coach Derrick Alston Sr. and Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius will each have interesting lineup choices ahead of them in regards to resting players or favouring sharpness with Conference Final berths clinched.

Player spotlight

Marcus Carr’s 22 points in 25 minutes off the bench was a team-high for the Bandits on Friday. It was his largest output in a Bandits uniform since recently joining the squad.

He suited up for the first time against the Sea Bears at the Langley Events Centre on June 18 in a limited role and played four minutes in the Bandits’ trip to Brampton earlier in the week.

The former Texas Longhorns playmaker seems ripe for another opportunity to get acquainted with his new teammates on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Vancouver will have to deal with Payen-Boucard for the first time this season. The Montréal guard finished with 21 points, five rebounds, four steals and two blocks in an outstanding performance on both ends against Saskatchewan.

After the win, Alston Sr. said he’s one of the Alliance’s best defensive players, if not one of the best in the league.

Milestone Watch

Montréal’s Ahmed Hill is 25 points away from 1,300 for his career, regular season only
Montréal’s Elijah Ifejeh is 10 rebounds away the all-time franchise record for rebounds, including playoffs
Montréal’s Chrs Smith is two steals away from 30 for the season
Vancouver’s Nick Ward leads the CEBL in free throws made and is one away from 100 for the season
Vancouver’s Ward is six rebounds away from the all-time franchise record held by Alex Campbell, including playoffs
Vancouver’s Tazé Moore has 121 assists on the season, battling Calgary’s Corey Davis Jr. (119) for most in the league and the CEBL regular season record

Vancouver Bandits Clinch 1st Place in CEBL With Win Over Scarborough

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 18:39:41 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits are Championship Weekend-bound.

Led by Marcus Carr’s 22 points, the Bandits (14-5) secured tops in the Western Conference, and a bye to Championship Weekend in Montreal, with a 104-90 victory over the Scarborough Shooting Stars (11-8) Friday night at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

“It was definitely a goal of ours to come here this weekend and get that done,” said Carr, who shot an efficient 8-for-13 from the field coming off the bench. “We’re happy we executed, but the job’s not done, so now we’re just gonna go back to the drawing board at practice and get better.”

The Bandits entered Friday’s game looking like the best team in the league – boasting the highest points per game average, lowest points against per game average and the best point differential in the league – and looked every bit of that moniker, halting the hottest team in the CEBL’s win streak at four games.

Bandits coach Kyle Julius is well aware of the team that he has on his hands but has belief that there’s still another gear for this team to hit as they try to win it all in Montreal.

“You have to [keep improving],” Julius said. “It starts with our leadership. The leaders set the tone every day – it starts with those guys – and this was Phase 1 for us and now we’ve got to go into Phase 2.

“These guys have nothing to do with last year, but I was thoroughly embarrassed with the way we played last year and we’ve really worked hard this year to bring a different group in with a different approach and when we started doing it that was Phase 1 and now it’s playoff basketball and everybody’s gotta be better. The coaching staff, the water guys, the trainers, the last guy’s gotta be better and it starts right now.”

Vancouver now owns the longest active win streak in the league at four straight and with the chemistry and togetherness that they play with, the Bandits could see that streak extend all the way to a title.

“This team is probably one of the, out of all the teams that I’ve been on all my life, we’re more connected,” said Vancouver guard Taze Moore, who finished with 15 points and five rebounds. “We go out to eat, rock climb, jump out of planes – I’m gonna go next week but some of the guys already went – fishing.

“We do a lot of stuff together to the point where we trust each other and in the end, we’re having fun even though we’re just meeting for the first year. And being able to build those connections and knowing that somebody has your back in only a total of four months is great to have.”

The Bandits took early command of the game with Moore knocking in two early triples to start the game as they jumped out to a 36-24 lead after the first quarter.

That lead would balloon to as much as 15 early in the second, but Scarborough wouldn’t go away, cutting the lead down to a more sizeable 54-48 at the half, and allow the Shooting Stars to strike in the third quarter.

Thanks to a 15-7 run to start the second half, Scarborough managed to take a lead, 65-63, with 6:27 left to play in the period, punctuated by a triple from Donovan Williams, who recently returned from NBA Summer League.

Overall, Williams looked great Friday, finishing with 25 points, and during that third-quarter run, him and Cat Barber looked like the reliable dynamic duo that could see the Shooting Stars repeat as CEBL champions.

Unfortunately, that run was the only point of the game where Barber looked effective, scoring eight of his 13 points during that stretch.

The Shooting Stars managed to push their lead to as much as seven points, but that quickly evaporated coming down the stretch of the third, with Carr hitting a half-court buzzer-beating three to tie the game up at 80 apiece entering the fourth, seemingly completely sucking the life out of Scarborough as the Bandits would go on to start the final quarter on a 10-0 run and never look back from there.

“I didn’t anticipate they were gonna go small at the start of the fourth,” said Shooting Stars head coach Devan Blair. “When Nick Ward got hurt I thought they would go back to [Kur] Jongkuch, and they didn’t. They went small and then we weren’t able to attack their switching enough. … So, I certainly take ownership of that. Good job by Coach to make that adjustment, but we’ll be ready come playoff time.”

Bandits forward Ward appeared to suffer a calf injury and was forced to leave the court with assistance in the third quarter. Before he left the game, he put up 12 points and three rebounds, numbers good to see him reach 900 points and 400 rebounds for his CEBL career in the regular season.

Barber of the Shooting Stars also reached a CEBL milestone, eclipsing the 250-rebound mark in the regular season with the eight that he hauled down.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Scarborough (07/26/2024)

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 18:34:46 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Scarborough Shooting Stars on July 26, 2024

Vancouver heads to Scarborough with sights set on 1st place in the West

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 18:01:35 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (13-5) can clinch the top seed in the Western Conference and a bye to 2024 Championship Weekend with a road win over the Scarborough Shooting Stars (11-7) on Friday night.

The Shooting Stars, who are locked into second place in the East and a home date with the Ottawa BlackJacks in the Eastern Conference Play-In, will look to Friday’s game against the Bandits as a solid test against stiff competition before the playoffs begin.

The game tips off at 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET) from Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, with live coverage available on CEBL+, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. The game will also be televised on Game+.

Expect lots of fireworks Friday night as this matchup pits the two top scoring teams in the league against one another.

Statistically, the Bandits are coming in as the favourite as they also allow the fewest points per game, and have the best point differential in the CEBL, but this isn’t to say that the Shooting Stars can’t compete. Far from it, in fact. Scarborough is currently the hottest team in the league right now having won four straight and its solid 7-1 home record certainly gives it an advantage over the 4-4 mark that Vancouver has managed on the road.

Led by the electric Cat Barber, the defending champs are peaking at the right time, and he’s been a big part of it, averaging 25.2 points per game over the course of the Shooting Stars’ win streak.

Toronto native Koby McEwen has taken the reins as Vancouver’s leader this season, with his deadeye three-point shooting a key aspect of the Bandits’ balanced attack, but he missed last night’s game in Brampton and is currently listed as day-to-day.

Both the Shooting Stars and Bandits are locked into playoff spots. The Montreal Alliance will be hosting Championship Weekend this year and get an automatic bye to the Final Four tournament.

Considering how their respective regular seasons have gone, Scarborough and Vancouver alike look to have legitimate aspirations toward earning their place in Montreal for Championship Weekend.

Key matchup

The potential of a duel between MVP candidate Tazé Moore and Barber should make you excited. Both are great, athletic guards who aren’t shy about shooting the three. They are also capable of filling it up in a hurry with their marksmanship from outside.

Milestone watch

Scarborough’s Kalif Young, of Vaughan, Ont., needs 16 points to reach 500 for his career, regular season only.
Vancouver’s Nick Ward needs 12 points to reach 900 for his career, regular season only.
Scarborough’s Kadre Gray, of Toronto, Ont., needs 34 points to reach 900 for his career, regular season and playoffs.
Scarborough’s Cat Barber needs four rebounds to reach 250 for his career, regular season only.
Scarborough’s Kadre Gray, of Toronto, Ont., needs four rebounds to reach 250 for his career, regular season only.
Scarborough’s Kalif Young, of Vaughan, Ont., needs eight rebounds to reach 500 for his career, regular season only, and 11 rebounds to match Jordan Baker as the CEBL’s all-time rebounding leader, regular season and playoffs, with 560.
Vancouver’s Nick Ward needs three rebounds to reach 400 for his career, regular season only.
Scarborough’s Cat Barber needs 12 assists to reach 300 for his career, regular season only.
Scarborough’s Kadre Gray, of Toronto, Ont., needs three three-pointers made to reach 100 for his career, regular season and playoffs.
Vancouver’s Duane Notice, of Toronto, Ont., needs five steals to reach 50 for his career, regular season and playoffs.

2024 season series

This is the second meeting between these two sides. The first one happened way back on May 26, with the Bandits emerging victorious 88-83 in Vancouver. Moore had 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the victory then.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Brampton (07/25/2024)

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 18:29:13 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Brampton Honey Badgers on July 25, 2024

Bandits hit road in Brampton with playoff implications

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 17:22:10 GMT

The Brampton Honey Badgers (6-12) host the West’s top-seeded Vancouver Bandits (12-5) Thursday as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive and snap their four-game losing skid.

The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT at CAA Centre, with live coverage available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+, and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

The Honey Badgers are coming off a tough 106-90 loss to the Scarborough Shooting Stars in which Scarborough tied their single-game franchise scoring record.

Despite starting off the game slowly offensively, the Shooting Stars would find their footing to take the lead and never look back. Brampton just couldn’t find an answer to a white-hot Scarborough offence.

LJ Thrope led the way for the Honey Badgers with 22 points, two rebounds, and two assists in the loss. His teammate Zane Waterman was right behind him with 21 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, and a block.

The silver lining for Brampton was the way it controlled the game underneath the rim, outscoring Scarborough 52-28 in points in the paint.

As for the Bandits, they’ve been among the CEBL’s best teams all season and will play the first of a three-game road swing to close out their regular season schedule. They currently have the best record in the Western Conference, including wins in each of their last-two contests, and finished their home schedule with a 9-1 record on the season.

Vancouver is coming off a 103-92 victory against the Winnipeg Sea Bears in which they controlled the pace all night, finding answers for any sort of Sea Bears’ run.

Mitch Creek was the hero for Vancouver with 31 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Taze Moore also chipped in with 25 points, six rebounds, and four steals.

Just like the Honey Badgers, the Bandits also won the inside game, outscoring Winnipeg 58-30 in paint points and outrebounding them 50-33.

Player Spotlight

Taze Moore has been hooping this season for the Bandits, enough to be considered a candidate for the CEBL MVP.

Moore is currently averaging 18 points per game, 7.8 assists, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 32 minutes.

He’s proven himself as a reliable scoring option for the Bandits, shooting 50 per cent from the floor and 31 per cent from three. Not only can he create offence for himself, but he can also create for others as well on an elite level.

2023 Season Series

Last year, these two teams faced off twice with Brampton emerging victorious both times. Thursday’s matchup with be the first and only game between the two teams in 2024 unless they meet in the CEBL Final.

Vancouver Bandits Rout Brampton Honey Badgers to Maintain 1st Place in Western Conference

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 07:17:42 GMT

Mitch Creek’s 33 points helped the Vancouver Bandits (13-5) to a 108-83 road victory over the Brampton Honey Badgers (6-13) on Thursday night.

With the win, Vancouver guaranteed itself a top-two finish in the West and will either host the Western Conference Semifinal or earn a bye to 2024 Championship Weekend. With the loss, Brampton is eliminated from the playoff picture in the East.

The Bandits controlled the pace for most of the game. Despite Brampton cutting the lead to four after the third quarter, Vancouver would respond right back with a few punches of their own to balloon the lead back to double digits, with Creek leading the charge.

Alongside with his 33 points, Creek would also finish the game with five rebounds and four assists. His teammate Taze Moore was right behind him with 20 points, eight assists, and five rebounds.

“I took what was open, didn’t try to force anything too much,” Creek said about his game tonight. “I try to evaluate my games on, do I take four shots, do I take shots out of rhythm, or out of team concepts?

“As a team, I thought we did a fantastic job,” he added. “Getting out of that defensive rut in the second, bouncing back in the third, and then finishing off in the fourth. Especially in Target Time, we’ve struggled in Target Time the last couple of games and given up big leads. So, it was really promising to see that from the entire squad.”

The Bandits controlled the first half, blowing out the Honey Badgers in the first quarter, and continuing that momentum to the half, leading 53-45.

The Honey Badgers battled back in the third, finding their offence and cutting the lead down to four heading into the fourth. However, the Bandits would respond with an offensive and defensive explosion, outscoring the Honey Badgers 33-12 in the fourth to take the 103-83 victory.

Vancouver Bandits head coach Kyle Julius shared after the game how the team was able to take over the fourth.

“Defence,” Julius said. “We were giving up a lot of offensive rebounds throughout the course of the game, and I think we started to get those defensive rebounds and I think that made a difference. I think Zach Copeland really changed the game with his defence and it sparked us.”

Vancouver will now turn its focus to securing first place in the West and a bye to Championship Weekend.

“I think it was really big,” Julius said on the importance of the win tonight. “Just because road wins are hard, we’re right at the end of the season, and everyone’s fighting for a place in the standings. So, I think these games are really meaningful.”

What’s next for both teams?

Brampton looks to finish off their season on a positive note when they face the Ottawa BlackJacks this Monday. As for the Bandits, they look to keep up their winning ways when they take on Scarborough Shooting Stars this Friday.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Sea Bears (07/18/2024)

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 19:47:43 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against theWinnipeg Sea Bears on July 18, 2024.

Vancouver Bandits Dismantle Sea Bears to End Regular Season 9-1 at Home

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 19:47:05 GMT

There’s no place like home, especially for the Vancouver Bandits.

The Bandits wrapped up the home portion of their regular season schedule with a 103-92 victory over the visiting Winnipeg Sea Bears on Thursday night at Langley Events Centre. It left Vancouver with a 9-1 mark on their home court eight of those wins coming by double digits and a 20-point average margin of victory.

And it very well may be their final time in front of the faithful fans as they get set to embark on a three-game Eastern road swing to close out the Canadian Elite Basketball League regular season with stops in Brampton (July 25), Scarborough (July 26) and Montréal (July 28).

Sitting in first place in the Western Conference with a 12-5 record, Vancouver needs one win in their final three games to seucure second place while two victories would clinch top spot and the automatic berth to Championship Weekend in Montreal.

And in Thursday’s win over the Sea Bears, it was one of the newest Bandits players who was making his home debut leading the way as Mitch Creek scored a game-high 31 points and 11 rebounds.

“There’s a reason why he has the resume he has, getting paid the money he is getting paid. He’s a leader, a hell of a player… left-hand, right-hand, jump shot…you can’t stop him,” said Vancouver’s Nick Ward.

Ward typically starts but came off the bench, finishing with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists.

“He has played at the level that all of these players in the CEBL are trying to get to. His leadership, his passion for his teammates, his willingness to do whatever the staff needs him to do, is absolutely incredible,” added Vancouver coach Kyle Julius, calling him not only one of the best big men in the league, but also someone who can play the perimeter when required and hit his outside shots.

In his first three games in a Bandits uniform Creek is averaging 28.7 points per game and he is converting nearly 65 percent of his two-point field goals.

“His touch around the rim is incredible,” the coach marveled.

The game began with a back-and-forth first quarter with Winnipeg up by five points before a 10-0 run gave the Bandits the lead for good. Ahead 25-21 after 10 minutes, they extended the advantage to 60-40 at the half and 82-65 through three quarters.

The Sea Bears did battle back to get the deficit down to seven points twice (including in Target Score Time) as Vancouver went cold on the offensive end, finally winning when Creek secured an offensive rebound and passed the ball along to Tazé Moore, whose floating jumper ended things.

Moore’s final stat line read 25 points, six rebounds, four steals and a pair of assists, leaving him two assists shy of setting a new CEBL single-season record. The current record is 110.

Zach Copeland added 17 points and eight rebounds while Kur Jongkuch got the nod in the starting five and finished with eight points and six rebounds. Duane Notice chipped in with five points, six rebounds, six assists and a pair of steals.

The Bandits won the rebounding battle 50-32, hauling down 17 boards on the offensive end alone.

Despite a better showing in the fourth quarter and down the stretch, the deficit was too much to overcome for a struggling Sea Bears squad which lost its fourth in a row to fall to 7-9. They do still hold a 1.5-game lead over Saskatchewan (their next opponent) for the fourth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

“It was just a situation where we got behind and couldn’t dig out of it, but let’s give credit to the Bandits,” said Winnipeg coach Mike Taylor.

He was referring to a second quarter where the Sea Bears struggled to score, generating just 19 points in that 10-minute period.

“And this has been our trouble on the road where the game gives us some natural adversity,” he said, referring to the team’s 1-7 record away from Canada Life Centre. “We did not execute and create good shots for ourselves, that gave them some transition opportunities and they got some easy baskets. We dug a hole.”

Winnipeg had six players reach double figures, but no player scored more than 14 with Simon Hildebrandt and Stephane Ingo each reaching that total. Both came off the bench and the pair were part of the four reserves who scored 12 or more points. Among the starters, Justin Wright-Foreman and Scottie Lindsey each had 13.

Bandits jockey for playoff positioning in second half of home-and-home

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 19:29:16 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (11-5) are searching for a sweep in the second half of a home-and-home series against the Winnipeg Sea Bears (7-8) tonight at the Langley Events Centre.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. CT / 10 p.m. ET, with live coverage available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

Fresh off a three-point victory over the Sea Bears on Saturday night, led by a 31-point outburst by Vancouver big man Mitch Creek, the Bandits are trying to swipe three of four regular season games against Winnipeg this season. Vancouver previously knocked off Winnipeg at home on June 13 before losing by four points on the road six days later.

Despite joining the team roughly halfway through the season, tonight’s matchup will mark the third time that Justin Wright-Foreman has played against the Bandits. And he’s been a major factor in every one of those contests.

Wright-Foreman has scored 29 or more points in each of his three games against the Bandits this season, including his most recent 31 point, seven assist performance last weekend. The Brooklyn, New York native, who leads the league in points per game (27.4) and sits second in assists (6.6), shot 11-19 from the field in the 102-99 loss.

The loss also dropped the Sea Bears to below .500 for the first time in roughly one month.

Winnipeg rattled off four consecutive wins between June 19 and July 4 after falling a season-low two games under .500 on June 16. During that span, American-born guard Scottie Lindsey emerged as another reliable scoring option for the Sea Bears.

The former Saskatchewan Rattler, who ranked in the top-five in league scoring in his lone season in the CEBL in 2022, is shooting better than 34 per cent from deep and averaging 14 points in roughly 25 minutes of action in his last five games. Lindsey and Emmanuel Akot, a forward that chipped in with 18 points on Saturday, will need to provide steady secondary scoring if the Sea Bears hope to snap their four-game losing streak tonight.

Following his team’s last game, Lindsey said the Sea Bears have to maintain their focus on the defensive side of the court — Winnipeg is giving up a CEBL-high 95.7 points per game — if they want to avenge their previous loss to Vancouver. The Bandits went on a 16-6 run in the third quarter last weekend prior to taking a nine-point lead heading into Target Score Time in the fourth quarter.

“Little details are super important at that time of the game — especially if it’s a one-point game or two-point game — we just have to be more sharp,” he said after the game.

Vancouver, meanwhile, has been riding at or near the top of the western conference standings all season.

Heading into tonight, Vancouver sits one game ahead of the Edmonton Stingers for first place in the western conference — and an automatic spot in Championship Weekend — with four games remaining in the regular season. A win would secure the Bandits at least a top three finish in the conference.

The squad has been led by an MVP-caliber campaign from Tazé Moore, who missed the team’s last game against the Sea Bears on Saturday but is expected to play tonight. The former Portland Trail Blazer leads the CEBL in assists (8.2) and is tied for first in rebounds per game (8.7). Moore is also averaging 17.5 points per game in his first season on the west coast.

Tonight may also mark the debut of Marcus Carr, a former University of Texas standout who joined the roster earlier this week. Carr, a Toronto native, earned All-Big 12 honours in 2023 and previously played for Bandits head coach Kyle Julius. He is coming back from an injury suffered earlier in the year.

“Marcus is an elite Canadian guard,” Julius said in a statement. “I have had the pleasure of watching him grow and develop from a young age. He has always been tough and had a relentless work ethic.”

Following the game, Vancouver will have one week off before travelling to Brampton for the first of a three-game east coast swing to cap off the regular season. Winnipeg is slated to return home for a date with Saskatchewan on Saturday night.

Vancouver Bandits Sign Former Texas Longhorns Star Marcus Carr

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 17:05:42 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed former All-Big 12 Conference selection Marcus Carr for the remainder of the club’s 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

A native of Toronto, Ont., Carr is one of the most decorated Canadian guards to ascend the ranks of NCAA Division I basketball in recent history. Carr split five seasons between the University of Pittsburgh (2017-18), University of Minnesota (2019-21) and the University of Texas at Austin (2021-23).

Starting 157 out of a possible 164 games, Carr averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game on 40 per cent and 34.5 per cent shooting from field goal and three-point range, respectively.

"I am looking forward to being part of the Bandits Basketball family and contributing to a winning culture as we push toward the playoffs. Reuniting with my brother Duane and a former coach of mine in Kyle Julius is a special opportunity and I can't wait to get after it on the court and to show out for our fans," Carr said.

Carr was instrumental in helping the Texas Longhorns reach the Elite Eight in 2023 and was named a member of the first-team All-Big 12 after leading the powerhouse program in scoring, steals and minutes played during his senior season. To cap off a terrific 2022-23 campaign, Carr helped Texas claim the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament title and was named to the conference’s all-tournament team – he also was named to the watchlists for the Oscar Robertson and Naismith Trophies.

Adding to his decorated track record is Carr’s own personal entry in the history books – in February 2023 he became Canada’s all-time NCAA Division I points and assists leader. Carr’s career points total (2350) was broken this past spring by eventual NBA lottery pick Zach Edey; however, his career assists record (747) still stands.

After completing his collegiate career, Carr suited up for the Phoenix Suns at the 2023 NBA Summer League where he averaged 13.3 minutes per game before making his professional debut in Greece (Aris Basketball Club) and Israel (Bnei Herzliya) over the course of the 2023-24 international basketball season. His 2023-24 campaign with Bnei Herzliya was cut short after sustaining an injury overseas.

“Marcus is an elite Canadian guard. I have had the pleasure of watching him grow and develop from a young age. He has always been tough and had a relentless work ethic. He is currently working his way back from an injury suffered before the CEBL season and we are thrilled that we can help him get back on the court into game shape,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

Formerly a prominent basketball training and skills development coach based in Ontario, Julius has close ties to both Carr and his brother, Duane Notice, who he coached together during their youth. Notice is a fellow guard that has played for the Bandits since the summer of 2023 and is also the club’s current captain.

Carr will wear no. 5 for Vancouver and is expected to play this season.

Vancouver’s next contest–its final regular season home game–is this upcoming week on Thursday, July 18 when the Bandits host the Sea Bears for a rematch as part of the club’s Fan Appreciation Game.

Tickets for the exciting game are on sale now at this link .

More information can be found at thebandits.ca/tickets or by speaking with a Bandits representative by calling (604) 455-8881 or emailing tickets@thebandits.ca .

A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here . More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Mitch Creek, Nick Ward lift Bandits to tight win over Sea Bears

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 05:06:38 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits emerged victorious in a back-and-forth nailbiter against the Winnipeg Sea Bears at Canada Life Centre on Saturday.

In just his second game of the season, Bandits big man Mitch Creek was a nuisance inside and led the team to a 102-99 triumph with 31 points and eight rebounds. He said the Vancouver ball movement played a big factor in the win.

“You just try and play the game the right way. I'm not trying to mix it up too much .. just trying to be a little bit smarter than everyone else, and then allow my teammates to get some great looks as well,” Creek said.

With Tazé Moore out for the contest and Koby McEwen also leaving the game early, Nick Ward and Diego Maffia stepped up for Vancouver.

Ward’s 22 points on 10-12 shooting allowed him to surpass current Sea Bear Alex Campbell for the Bandits’ all-time regular season points record.

Meanwhile, Maffia was scorching hot from beyond the arc, netting 14 points on 5-7 shooting from the floor and 4-6 from three to go along with six assists.

“That’s standard Diego. Unfortunately, he doesn't get as many minutes as he could on our team, but .. he does that all the time,” Bandits’ head coach Kyle Julius said.

Despite an off night, Zach Copeland managed 12 points and eight rebounds, in addition to the Target Score winner.

“I thought that our guys just stayed poised and we were pretty focused during Target [Score] Time,” Julius said.

On the other side, the league’s top scorer Justin Wright-Foreman paced the Sea Bears’ offence with 31 points and a game-high seven assists on 11-19 shooting.

Emmanuel Akot contributed 18 points in a starting role, while Scottie Lindsey made big plays down the stretch and finished with 17. Lindsey said it was the defence late in the game that made the difference on Saturday.

“Little details are super important at that time of the game – especially if it’s a one-point game or two-point game – we just have to be more sharp,” Lindsey said.

Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson was the only other Winnipeg player to hit double figures with 15 points off the bench, all coming in the first half.

Despite the loss, Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor was proud of the effort and competitiveness.

“There's a lot of little details we can clean up, but at the end of the day, we had possession with a chance to win,” Taylor said.

Vancouver controlled the early stages of the game and didn’t trail during the first quarter. Creek and McEwen led the way for the Bandits’ offence early, and a Copeland turnaround jumper gave the squad a 10-point advantage.

However, Ogungbemi-Jackson caught fire after missing just his second free throw of the season. The hometown hero got going from the mid-range before knocking down a contested three. Ward closed out the frame playing bully ball and provided the Bandits with a 30-23 lead after one.

Wright-Foreman heated up in the second quarter and closed the gap to just two points with a triple. Ogungbemi-Jackson tied it with a lefty finish to force a Julius timeout. Another three shortly after from Wright-Foreman gave Winnipeg its first lead of the night.

After going back and forth for several possessions, Wright-Foreman knocked down another triple, this time with contact, to complete a four-point play. Vancouver pulled even again late in the half, but Ogungbemi-Jackson and Wright-Foreman connected on back-to-back trifectas to head into the locker room with a 54-48 lead.

Overall, Winnipeg hit seven threes in the opening 20 minutes. McEwen’s pair of contested jumpers from beyond the arc in the first quarter were the only threes of the half for Vancouver. The Bandits shot 54 per cent from the field overall, but just 20 per cent from long range. Vancouver also turned the ball over nine times in the first half, while Winnipeg was careful in possession and didn’t record a turnover.

After a cold start, Lindsey kicked off the third quarter with another four-point play for Winnipeg to extend the lead to double digits.

The Bandits stayed resilient and went to work inside with Creek and Ward, who helped Vancouver tie the contest at 68 after a 16-6 run. Maffia also caught fire for the Bandits and connected on three trifectas to power the team to a 77-73 lead after 30 minutes.

Creek was impossible to stop inside early in the fourth and after missing a few jumpers, he added an open three. The Bandits led 92-83 in the final frame and looked poised to take an advantage into Target Score Time, but a pair of clutch Lindsey triples helped Winnipeg even the score at 92 before the final stretch.

To begin Target Score Time, Creek scored in transition to give the Bandits the advantage. Simon Hildebrandt was fouled on a three and made a pair of free throws before an unsportsmanlike foul on Ward gave Winnipeg another two shots and the ball.

The Sea Bears came away with one point from the charity stripe and Maffia answered with another clutch three for Vancouver. The two sides traded buckets until the game was tied at 99 with Vancouver in possession.

A failed pass into the high post and a lengthy video review gave the Sea Bears the basketball with a chance to win, but Wright-Foreman couldn’t get the roll on a layup. Copeland came back the other way with a contested three to end it.

Vancouver improves to 11-5 and return to first place in the Western Conference standings, while Winnipeg drops to 7-8 in fourth place.

What’s next?

The Bandits and Sea Bears will play each other again on Thursday (July 18) at 7 p.m. at Langley Events Centre.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Winnipeg (07/13/2024)

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 18:26:39 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on July 13, 2024

Bandits and Sea Bears jostle for playoff position in first leg of home-and-home

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 17:53:52 GMT

A pair of Western Conference squads will look to get back in the win column on Saturday night in a star-studded showdown.

The second-place Vancouver Bandits (10-5) will visit the fourth-place Winnipeg Sea Bears (7-7) at Canada Life Centre in the first half of a home-and-home.

The game is set for 7:30 p.m. CDT /5:30 p.m. PT streaming live on CEBL+ and TSN+ and is also available on NLSE in the U.S.

The host Sea Bears look to push above .500 and return to form after back-to-back losses. Prior to a 96-84 defeat against Saskatchewan on Thursday and an 80-73 loss to Montréal last Friday, Winnipeg found itself on a four-game winning streak.

One of those victories came against the Bandits, who enter Saturday’s contest teeter-tottering between wins and losses for the past seven games. Vancouver dropped a close contest with Calgary on Thursday after a decisive win over the Rattlers on Sunday.

The Bandits’ top-ranked offence and defence (in points per game) proved its worth in the 99-70 rout of Saskatchewan. However, Vancouver had to crawl back from 17 down in the second quarter and seven down in Target Score Time against Calgary only to see the comebacks squandered by a Jordy Tshimanga winner.

After the game, Bandits head coach Kyle Julius said the team’s performance was “not good.” The Vancouver bench boss will look for another bounce-back win in the third matchup with Winnipeg this season.

In the wake of the last meeting with Sea Bears on June 19, Julius cited a flat performance as part of the reason for an 88-84 loss.

Winnipeg star Justin Wright-Foreman went off for 32 points in that contest, including a deep game-winning three at Canada Life Centre. The Sea Bears limited each Vancouver player to less than 20 points, a far cry from the first meeting of the season at Langley Events Centre.

Wright-Foreman, the league’s top scorer in points per game, was tough to deal with in that contest, combining with then-Sea Bear Teddy Allen for 53 points. However, Vancouver’s stars came to play as well with Koby McEwen, Nick Ward and Tazé Moore putting together 73 points to lift the Bandits to a 112-91 victory.

Moore led the way with a triple-double that included 35 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. The Bandits’ star has showcased his all-around game throughout the campaign and already has one of the most impressive regular seasons in CEBL history. He recently joined former Rattler Tony Carr as the second player in league history to tally 100 rebounds and 100 assists in the same regular season. Moore also has a chance to break Carr’s single-season assist record of 110 on Saturday with four more helpers.

Player spotlight

A pair of new faces will look to make an impact on the season series between the Sea Bears and Bandits.

NBA-experienced Aussie Mitch Creek made his debut with Vancouver against Calgary and netted 24 points to go along with seven rebounds. Creek will look to keep the offence flowing on Saturday as Winnipeg gets to defend him for the first time.

The Bandits will also have to deal with sharpshooting Scottie Lindsey for the first time this season. Lindsey has complemented Wright-Foreman with 13.3 points per game in four outings.

Milestone Watch

Winnipeg’s Alex Campbell is two points away from 1,000 for his career, regular season only
Winnipeg’s Campbell is nine steals away from 100 for his career, including playoffs
Winnipeg’s Chad Posthumus is one point and 23 rebounds away from 500 for his career in each category, including playoffs
Vancouver’s Ward is 31 points away from 900 for his career, including playoffs
Vancouver’s Ward is eight points away from the all-time franchise scoring record held by Campbell, regular season only
Vancouver’s Tazé Moore is two assists away from breaking Bandits’ single-season record held by Marek Klassen (108)

Vancouver Bandits Partner With City of Pitt Meadows to Refurbish Outdoor Basketball Court

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 17:41:18 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has partnered with the City of Pitt Meadows and various sponsors to support the refurbishment of its outdoor basketball court at the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre.

The refreshed court will be unveiled and renamed as “Constable Rick O’Brien Court” in honour of the decorated Mountie, who served in the Ridge Meadows community since 2016.

Const. O’Brien was tragically shot and killed in the line of duty on September 22, 2023. A beloved husband to Nicole O’Brien, the updated court named in Rick’s honour will be revealed on Thursday, July 25 at 2 p.m. PT as part of a ribbon cutting ceremony that will also feature the grand opening of the “Constable Rick O’Brien Youth Lounge” at the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre.

“The Bandits are honoured to work in close contact with the City of Pitt Meadows, Nicole O’Brien and supporting partners to bring this edition of our Court Projects program to life. Rick was a hero that believed that sports can inspire youth and bring people together. This collaboration pays tribute to his focus on community engagement and creating positive relationships between youth and law enforcement,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

The recreation centre was a space that Rick frequented throughout his seven years of dedicated service. He would often be found visiting the youth lounge or shooting hoops with kids outdoors.

In addition to being a leader in the community, Rick was a husband and father to six children. The O’Brien family often attended Bandits games and supported the club’s game days at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

The updated lounge and court named in O’Brien’s honour will pay tribute to his legacy of connecting with youth and will serve as safe and inclusive spaces for everyone to enjoy.

"I am incredibly honored to have this basketball court named after my husband, Cst. Rick O'Brien. Rick was passionate about connecting with youth and believed in the power of sports to bring communities together. The Cst. Rick O'Brien Basketball Court, in partnership with the Vancouver Bandits and the City of Pitt Meadows, is a wonderful tribute to his legacy. It will be a place where youth and law enforcement can come together, build friendships and create lasting memories. This court embodies Rick's vision of unity and community and I am excited to see his dream come to life,” Nicole O’Brien said.

The ribbon cutting event on July 25th will include local dignitaries, supporting sponsors that have helped make the facility updates possible and other special guests. A barbeque and other activities hosted by the City of Pitt Meadows and Vancouver Bandits are also planned as part of the special day.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Calgary (07/11/2024)

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 18:22:57 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on July 11, 2024

Vancouver Bandits Stumble on the Road Vs. Calgary Surge

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:33:39 GMT

The Calgary Surge outlasted the Vancouver Bandits 97-94 on Thursday at WinSport Arena.

Calgary refused to give up throughout the game, blowing a 17-point second-quarter lead and seeing a seven-point edge at Target Score Time evaporate quickly.

But the Surge, as they have all week, bounced back. Eventually, centre Jordy Tshimanga found position down low and deposited a layup to secure the roller-coaster win.

“We knew it was gonna be a challenge coming in. … There’s a bunch of new faces around, but again I think they’ve locked in defensively on what we’re trying to do,” Surge head coach Tyrell Vernon said.

“They gave us everything they had, and in this league, when effort is at a premium, when you get that effort from guys, I would have been proud of them win or lose today. But at the same time, I’m very happy we got this win.”

Vancouver missed a chance to clinch a playoff spot with the loss, falling to 10-5 and out of first place in the West. Calgary moved back above .500 at 8-7 with the victory.

Bandits head coach Kyle Julius was succinct when asked to assess his team’s performance on the night.

“Not good.”

After the clock turned off with Calgary leading 87-80, Vancouver roared back with a 12-4 run to take a one-point lead at 92-91.

But the Surge tied the game on a free throw from Kyler Edwards after a questionable shooting foul went against Bandits guard Koby McEwen – his fifth personal, knocking him out of the contest with a game-high 26 points.

Calgary moved back ahead when reserve big man Gatluak James converted an and-one to put his team one point away from victory. Vancouver would score on its next possession, but it proved irrelevant as Tshimanga iced the game on the very next play.

The team effort from Calgary was exemplified by its scoring dispersion as starters Mathieu Kamba, Edwards, Corey Davis Jr., and Malcolm Duvivier all scored between 18 and 20 points.

“I was trying to kinda pace myself because basketball players can only do so much. We’re only human, so you can’t be superhuman. So I just knew my teammates had my back and I knew if I gave 100 per cent, it’d kinda bring guys along,” Kamba said.

Calgary went ahead early thanks to sharp three-point shooting in the first quarter. After the Surge scored the first four points of the second frame to go up 34-18, Julius called timeout – and it seemed to turn the Bandits around.

Vancouver slowly chipped away at its deficit, and eventually tied the game at 50 apiece heading into halftime.

The third quarter was more tightly contested as neither team was able to build a lead bigger than two possessions. It was the Surge who came out ahead by three points entering the wild final frame. And it was the Surge who battled through adversity to get the victory – their first of the season over Vancouver.

“I think it was just a next-up mentality. We have a lot of talent, so a lot of guys can always step up and fill those roles. Obviously it hurts, 30 shots are gone [between Miller-Moore and Smith], but I feel we have the personnel to make up for that defensively and offensively,” Kamba said.

“And we owed Vancouver one, so I knew it was gonna be intense tonight.”

While McEwen led the Bandits with 26 points to go with his eight rebounds, Australian big man Mitch Creek – who only signed with the team on Sunday – provided 24 points and seven boards off the bench.

Creek said he drew on his experience playing across the world from Puerto Rico to China and Australia.

“It’s basketball. I didn’t come here and play ice hockey. If I did, I would’ve been really, really bad,” he said. “I’m not trying to over-dribble and do something crazy. I’m just trying to make sure I set good screens and help any way I can [by] motivating from the bench, doing the little things and playing the game of basketball and respecting it the way it deserves to be respected.”

The 32-year-old, who played five NBA games in the 2018-19 season, said he hopes to use his experience to keep the Bandits at a steady level moving forward even when calls – such as the one against McEwen in Target Score Time – go against them.

“I think even tonight’s performance we can kinda take a lot from each other and how we behaved, and it wasn’t to a high level,” Creek said.

Guard Tazé Moore, an MVP frontrunner, was held relatively silent with 15 points and nine assists while committing seven turnovers. The American now sits three dimes away from tying Tony Carr’s single-season mark of 110 set in 2022.

Moore suffered an injury scare in the third quarter when his right leg – on which he’s already had five surgeries – was caught awkwardly underneath the Surge’s James. Moore was down on the court for a few minutes before limping to the bench. He returned to play in the fourth.

Up Next

The Bandits continue their road trip with a visit to the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Saturday, while Calgary heads to Saskatchewan for a game against the Rattlers on Sunday.

Bandits look to secure playoff spot in battle against resilient Surge

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:12:49 GMT

Vancouver is within grasp of the playoffs. Calgary is still fighting for its life.

The Bandits visit the Surge on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. PT with post-season implications for both teams beginning to come into focus. Live broadcast coverage from WinSport Event Centre is available on Next Level Sports & Entertainment, while you can stream the game on CEBL+ and TSN+.

For Vancouver (10-4), which currently sits first in the Western Conference, a victory combined with a Saskatchewan Rattlers loss would secure a playoff berth.

Calgary (7-7), meanwhile, ranks fourth in the conference, just two games ahead of the last-place Rattlers. Beating the Bandits, then, would provide some cushion as the regular season enters its final stretch.

The Surge are coming of a blowout victory over the Edmonton Stingers on Tuesday in which it held its Alberta rival to a franchise-low 58 points and snapped a two-game skid in the process.

Despite losing three key players -- Gabe Osabuohien, Justin Lewis and Trhae Mitchell – to NBA Summer League, Calgary put together arguably its best performance of the season in the 87-58 rout.

It’ll need a similar effort to topple the Bandits, against whom it’s already dropped two games while failing to score 75 points in either one.

However, the Surge did not have the services of lead guard Stefan Smith in either of those defeats. Smith, who returned to the team late after finishing his campaign overseas, has averaged 17.4 points and 4.4 assists in five games, providing a backcourt boost to a team that leads the league in both overall and three-point field-goal percentage.

Vancouver, meanwhile, sits top-three in both categories, tops everyone with 93.1 points per game and owns the stingiest defence, allowing just 83.9 points per game.

The Bandits are led by guard Tazé Moore, possibly the MVP frontrunner, whose 8.2 assists per game are nearly two dimes more than second-place Justin Wright-Foreman of Winnipeg. Moore is also second leaguewide in rebounds at nine per game and 10 ^th with 17.7 points per game.

The B.C. squad stormed to a 7-1 start to the season but is even in six games since, perhaps showing some vulnerability from its perch atop the West as it’s fallen to Winnipeg and twice to Edmonton in that span.

Thursday marks the final game of the season between the Bandits and the Surge. Vancouver won 100-74 on June 1 and 70-65 six days later.

Key matchup

In Calgary’s previous game, centre Jordy Tshimanga stepped up in the absence of fellow big men Osabuohien and Lewis.

Tshimanga, the Montreal native, poured in 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting, to go with 13 rebounds and stout interior defence.

But he’ll face a tough test in Bandits big man Nick Ward, who sits fifth league-wide in both blocks per game (1.4) and field-goal percentage (57.2). Ward is also Vancouver’s third-leading scorer with 17.6 points per game.

Given the low-scoring nature of the previous contest between Vancouver and Calgary, paint points from Tshimanga and Ward could ultimately prove the difference on Thursday.

Milestone watch

Calgary’s Smith is 29 points away from 500 for his career, regular season only
Calgary’s Mathieu Kamba is three rebounds away from 250 for his career, regular season only
Vancouver’s Koby McEwen is four assists away from 200 for his career, regular season only
Vancouver’s Moore is 13 assists away from surpassing the single-season league record of 110, set by Tony Carr in 2022

Vancouver Bandits Release Devontè Bandoo

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 21:29:08 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced today the following roster update:

Guard Devontè Bandoo (Canada) has been released from the club so he can pursue other playing opportunities. The Bandits thank him for his tenure in Vancouver.

Bandits cruise to 99-70 victory over Rattlers

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 03:37:53 GMT

It was the Koby McEwen Show down the stretch.

McEwen scored 15 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and Target Score Time – setting a new professional high in the process – as the Vancouver Bandits hammered the Saskatchewan Rattlers 99-70 on Sunday afternoon at Langley Events Centre in Canadian Elite Basketball League action.

The 6-foot-4 guard hit half of his team’s 3-pointers –6-for-14 compared to 6-for-20 by the rest of the roster – but McEwen passed the credit to his teammates.

“I did force a couple of bad ones. Not proud of that, but a lot of the shots I got, I was open. And that’s a credit to my team because we have good players and everyone has to account for everybody,” he said.

Sunday’s game featured a close first quarter with the Bandits up 23-20 after 10 minutes before the team locked down defensively, holding the Rattlers to 11 points in the period for a 49-31 advantage and a double-digit lead for the rest of the game. Saskatchewan did get the score to within 10 points in the opening minute of the fourth quarter before Vancouver quickly reestablished a commanding lead.

Vancouver improved to 8-1 on their home floor with an average margin of victory of more than 21 points. This was also the fifth time this season a team has failed to surpass 75 points against the Bandits, who are allowing a league-low 83.9 points per game. They are also the only CEBL teams with a points differential in triple digits at + 129 as they improved to 10-4 on the season.

“We just have guys who are willing to guard. I don’t think defence is a complicated thing … it is just all effort and guys being on the same page. Once you have effort and everyone on the same page, everything becomes easy,” McEwen said.

The Bandits finished with 10 blocked shots, led by Kur Jongkuch’s three swats and two apiece from McEwen, Tazé Moore and Nick Ward, and one from Sam Maillet.

While McEwen posted the gaudy number, he was one of five Vancouver players to reach double digits with Moore scoring 18 – as well as 13 rebounds and seven assists – Ward had 15 and eight boards while Duane Notice added 12 points, eight rebounds and five steals and Zach Copeland chipped in with 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.

And that is what helps Vancouver so dangerous: balance.

“Basketball, especially at the pro level, is very ego driven, everyone is trying to get theirs. I think this team, everyone is just trying to win, we like each other, we hang out off the court. We are able to hold each other accountable; no one takes anything personal. Kyle and Dylan did a great job of getting a solid group of guys to come together,” McEwen said referencing head coach and general manager Kyle Julius and team president Dylan Kular.

This was the fifth time McEwen has led the team in scoring and for the season, he is at 18.8 per game.

“He means everything to this team. He is just an absolute force. His work ethic, his competitive nature, his fire, his personality, one of the best players I have ever had the opportunity to coach. He is our heartbeat, a big piece to what we are doing,” Julius said.

The loss was a seventh straight for the Rattlers, who fell to 5-9 on the season as they sit last in the Western Conference with six games to play.

“I think the Bandits did a great of picking up their defensive intensity. We had too many turnovers which led to some runouts and easy points for them,” said Saskatchewan assistant coach Eric Magdanz on the 10-minute second quarter where they game got away. “The Bandits shot the ball well and we didn’t and that was enough to sink the ship.”

For the game, Vancouver was nearly 42 percent from the field, including 35 percent from downtown while the Rattlers struggled at 31 percent from the field and just 21 percent from beyond the arc.

Another key factor was turnovers with Saskatchewan committing 14 in the first half, compared to just seven after half-time.

The Rattlers’ Cody John had 17 to lead his team with Emmanuel Bandoumel and Teddy Allen each scoring 14.

The Bandits now hit the road for a pair of games, July 11 in Calgary against the Surge before a visit to Winnipeg to face the Sea Bears on July 13. Vancouver’s next home game at Langley Events Centre will be on July 18 as they complete the home-and-home series with Winnipeg. It is also the final regular season home contest for the Bandits and will be Fan Appreciation Game with a 7:00pm tip-off.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Rattlers (07/07/2024)

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 01:30:23 GMT

New Title

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Saskatchewan Rattlers on July 7, 2024.

Rattlers visit Bandits for Sunday afternoon matinee

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 17:10:30 GMT

The Saskatchewan Rattlers (5-8) visit the Vancouver Bandits (9-4) for a third, and final, regular season contest between the Western Conference squads on Sunday.

Action from Langley Events Centre begins at 4 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. CST / 7 p.m. ET with live coverage available on Game+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

When both squads take the court Sunday, it’ll be yet another iteration of one of the league’s most intriguing matchups. Back in May, when Saskatchewan won the first face-off, 98-86, it improved them to 3-0 and put the Rattlers squarely atop the conference. And when the rematch took place two weeks later, Vancouver made sure to get their payback as they picked up a near-identical 98-85 victory. The win not only put the Bandits at 7-1, but it also sent the Rattlers spiralling in the other direction.

That defeat was the first of six in a row for Saskatchewan – the longest skid of any Western Conference team this season. The Rattlers latest loss came on Friday courtesy of the Scarborough Shooting Stars. The defending champs took the game by a score of 105-98, shooting better than 50 per cent from both the field and beyond the arc.

Saskatchewan has kept up with opponents offensively, for the most part, during this losing skid. Four of the six losses have come by seven points or less. It’s their play on defence that’s let them down the most during this stretch. The Rattlers have allowed an average of 98.8 points during the last six games, conceding more than 100 points on three occasions in that span.

As they figure out the defence, at least Saskatchewan can continue to hang its hat on offence thanks to some standout players.

Notably, Teddy Allen, who’s coming off his debut with the Rattlers. The reigning league MVP joined Saskatchewan earlier in the week after being released by the Winnipeg Sea Bears earlier in the season, and in his first game back he wasted no time reminding folks why his nickname is “Teddy Buckets.” Allen finished the game against Scarborough with 25 points, albeit on 6-of-25 shooting from the field, to go with five rebounds and four assists.

He wasn’t the only strong performer as Emmanuel Bandoumel had arguably his best game of the year against the defending champs. The guard scored a game-high 29 points on 52 per cent shooting from the field as he nailed five triples to go with eight rebounds and four assists.

On the other side, it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for the Bandits either since these teams last met. After beating Saskatchewan, Vancouver has gone 2-3 and subsequently relinquished their lead atop the Western Conference.

The Bandits previous contest ended in defeat to the now West-leading Edmonton Stingers. The 99-82 loss was Vancouver’s second to Edmonton in the span of a week.

And although the Bandits offence was serviceable as they shot 47 per cent from the field and 40 per cent from beyond the arc, their typically stout defence got ran all over. Edmonton shot 59 per cent from the field and 55 per cent from three as they scored well above the 85 points per game Vancouver usually limits opponents to.

If the Bandits are going to avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time all season, and not be the squad that snaps the Rattlers’ losing skid, they’ll have to look more like their usual selves – a team that holds opponents to the fewest points per game in the CEBL.

Otherwise, it could be another record-setting type of night for Allen and the Rattlers. The import already boasts five of the top 10 single-game scoring performances in CEBL history and tied-second for threes made in a single-game (nine), so anything short of a top-notch defensive effort could mean another strong outing for Allen.

Vancouver can at least take solace in the fact that Saskatchewan will be without Jalen Harris, who’s CEBL season has come to an end as he heads overseas to compete in China. The former Toronto Raptor was third in the league for scoring (24.5 points per game) and was averaging 25.5 points per game against the Bandits.

Vancouver Bandits Sign Former Brooklyn Net, 2024 South East Melbourne Captain Mitchell Creek

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 01:56:05 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Saturday that the club has signed decorated and NBA-experienced swingman Mitchell Creek for the remainder of the club’s current Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

The Bandits currently sit second in the CEBL standings with a 9-4 record. Sporting no. 55, Creek will dress for tomorrow’s game at LEC versus the visiting Saskatchewan Rattlers.

Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT. Tickets for the game, which is themed “Hometown Hoops and Heroes” in honour of local first responders are going fast and are available for purchase at this link .

“I am excited to join the Bandits to help as best I can to continue their great season and push further to call ourselves champions. I am pumped to meet all of the incredible fans, team and members of the organization,” Creek said.

Creek’s resumé checks off every level of the global basketball scene. During the 2018-19 campaign, he appeared in a combined five NBA regular season games split between the Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging 4.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game on 50 per cent shooting from the field between time spent with both clubs.

A native of Horsham, Australia, Creek is a notable member of the country’s basketball scene. As part of its men’s national program, known as the Boomers, Creek has been a key cog in the program’s ascent; winning a 2017 FIBA Asia Cup title and representing his nation at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Further demonstrating his national pride, Creek has appeared in more than 300 games in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), which is widely regarded as one of the top 10 professional basketball leagues in the world. Creek served as captain of the South East Melbourne Phoenix during the recent 2023-24 campaign. Creek led the Phoenix by example; averaging 31.9 minutes, 20.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game on 49 per cent shooting from field goal range.

Creek becomes the second Australian to suit up for the Bandits, joining Kyle Adnam, who previously served as co-captain of the Phoenix and was a member of Vancouver’s roster in 2022.

“We are all really excited to add Mitch. I was devastated to find out about the loss of James, so adding Mitch fills a significant void. He is an incredibly well accomplished player who plays the game the right way with high-level toughness and skill,” Julius said.

“He will be a valuable piece to our championship run.”

A 6-foot-5 swingman capable of playing the guard and forward positions, Creek is no stranger to the international basketball landscape. Since turning pro in 2010 as a member of the Adelaide 36ers, Creek has played in the German Bundesliga (Göttingen, 2017-18), the Chinese Basketball Association (Xinjiang Flying Tigers (2023-24) and Puerto Rico (2022-24).

Individuals interested in ticket flexibility or purchasing a bundle of tickets are invited to consider a flex pack or season tickets . More information can be found at thebandits.ca/tickets or by speaking with a Bandits representative by calling (604) 455-8881 or emailing tickets@thebandits.ca .

Bandits Stumble on the Road versus Edmonton Stingers

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 05:18:36 GMT

A massive fourth quarter powered the Edmonton Stingers (10-4) past the Vancouver Bandits (9-4) on Saturday to regain first place in the Western Conference.

Stingers’ guard Michael Nuga came off the bench to drop 24 points and earn the 99-82 victory, including eight in Target Score Time and 17 in the fourth quarter overall.

He did it all in front of his parents, who were on his mind during a clutch three in Target Score Time.

“I know that they would have been mad if I missed it, so I just had to make sure that I went in…good reaction from them, so it was cool,” Nuga said.

“When they're here or when they're not here, I can always feel them supporting me. So it was nice to have them in the building and to play well at the same time and get a win.”

Nuga credits his teammates with the stellar performance.

“When I checked in the game, all they do is tell me to run and they're gonna find me,” he said.

Nuga wasn’t the only major contributor on Friday. With Brody Clarke out for Edmonton, Ben Krikke stepped into the starting lineup and didn’t miss a beat. He dropped 19 points on 9-11 shooting and limited Bandits star Nick Ward on the other end.

Nick Hornsby also stepped up with 16 points in Clarke’s absence, while Mindaugas Kačinas knocked down three triples off the bench, including the game-winner.

“Guys knew it’s the next man up,” Stingers Head Coach Jordan Baker said.

Vancouver missed a big man of its own on Friday, with James Karnik on injured reserve due to an appendectomy. The Bandits’ league-best offence was limited to just 12 points in the fourth quarter after keeping up with its usual pace in the opening 30 minutes.

Star-studded Vancouver starters Tazé Moore, Zach Copeland, Koby McEwen and Ward were each held under 20 points in the loss despite reaching double figures. Copeland finished with a team-best 17 points and six assists, while Moore still snagged nine rebounds to go along with 13 points.

Edmonton’s bench stepped up in a big way again, outscoring Vancouver’s by 31 for the second consecutive game. The Stingers were ultra-efficient offensively, shooting 59 per cent from the field and 55 per cent from three.

“When we get a paint touch early in the possession, that's going to open up things from the perimeter,” Baker said. “If we just stand around on the three and bomb away, it's a little bit of a different shot quality. So we did a good job getting the ball inside [and] making extra passes.”

Vancouver tallied 19 turnovers in Friday’s outing and lost both the rebounding and points in the paint battles.

The game began with both teams playing fast and loose. There were turnovers aplenty and it resulted in a high-scoring opening stanza.

Krikke scored the opening seven points for Edmonton while stepping into the starting lineup. Copeland also started the game red-hot for the other side with four trifectas in the first quarter.

After a transition slam from Vancouver forward Sam Maillet forced a Baker timeout, an Aaron Rhooms corner three and a buzzer-beater from Ryan Richmond took the Stingers into the break with a 30-22 lead.

Copeland passed the hot hand off to his teammate McEwen in the second quarter. McEwen connected on four triples of his own to complement some old-fashioned three-point plays from Ward and Duane Notice.

Unfortunately for the Bandits, the Stingers were on fire from long range as well. Edmonton hit six threes in the second quarter, maintaining the lead and halting each Vancouver run.

After McEwen cut the deficit to one late in the half, Edmonton went on an 8-0 run that included a pair of timely Hornsby buckets to head into the locker room.

Hornsby and McEwen led all scorers at the break with 14 points apiece, in addition to 12 points from Copeland.

Edmonton shot 65 per cent from the field in the opening 20 minutes, while Vancouver shot 55 per cent with eight threes on each side. Each team gave up the ball at a high rate with a near-equal number of turnovers, but the Stingers capitalized with nine more points off the mistakes.

To start the third, both teams cooled down from beyond the arc before back-to-back Edmonton threes broke the dry spell and extended the lead back to seven.

Vancouver tied it up twice in the third, but a pair of mid-range jumpers from Krikke closed another quarter strong for Edmonton and provided the Stingers with a 74-70 lead before the final frame.

The Bandits tied the game early in the fourth, but Nuga caught fire and led the Stingers on a 14-6 run to head into Target Score Time.

Nuga continued his clutch play when it mattered most with a corner three, an acrobatic finish, and another trifecta to bring Edmonton one point from victory. Kačinas buried the game-winning three with one second left on the shot clock to deliver the season series for the Stingers.

What’s next?

Both teams return to action Sunday as the Stingers stay home for a matchup with the Brampton Honey Badgers at 7 p.m. MT, while the Bandits return to Vancouver to face the Saskatchewan Rattlers at 4 p.m. PT.

Vancouver Bandits Place James Karnik on Injury Reserve

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 18:50:08 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that forward James Karnik has been placed on Injury Reserve.

Following a successful appendectomy that took place earlier this week, he will be listed as week-to-week as he recovers from appendicitis. Karnik will work with the club's strength and conditioning team to return to game action and will be reevaluated at a later date.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Edmonton (07/05/2024)

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 18:21:10 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Edmonton Stingers on July 5, 2024

Bandits seek retribution in rematch with Stingers

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 16:53:12 GMT

Two west coast powerhouses will meet in a regular season rubber match on Friday in Edmonton.

The first-place Vancouver Bandits (9-3) will visit the second-place Edmonton Stingers (9-4) in an important matchup atop the Western Conference standings.

The game is set for Friday at 7 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. ET at Edmonton EXPO Centre, streaming live on CEBL+ and TSN+.

Vancouver is coming off a bounce-back 105-83 rout of the Niagara River Lions at Langley Events Centre on Canada Day, while Edmonton fell to Winnipeg in a one-point nailbiter on Wednesday to give the squad its first road loss of the season.

The Stingers and Bandits split the two previous meetings in 2024, with Vancouver claiming the first contest 93-90 on June 4 and Edmonton responding with a 107-88 victory last Saturday. The road team emerged victorious in each of the previous clashes, with Vancouver travelling to Edmonton this time around for the final instalment of the regular season.

In the first outing on June 4, the Bandits handed the Stingers their first loss of the season after overcoming a 12-point deficit. Edmonton played spoiler as well during the second contest, ending Vancouver’s perfect home record.

The Stingers dominated early in front of a sold-out crowd at Langley Events Centre in that matchup and never looked back. The victory largely stemmed from contributions from the Edmonton bench, which outscored Vancouver’s by 31 points.

After the game, Stingers Head Coach Jordan Baker said the Bandits wanted to pressure the ball and disrupt their actions.

“We worked on being a little more composed. We didn't do a perfect job but we saw some improvement from the last time we saw them," Baker said after the 107-88 win.

If the previous game is any indication, both teams can expect a physical battle.

Vancouver's Tazé Moore was ejected in the third quarter after picking up his second technical foul, while big man Nick Ward fouled out before Target Score Time. After the game, Bandits Head Coach Kyle Julius attributed the loss to a lack of emotional resilience.

“The only team that can beat the Bandits is the Bandits and I think we proved that tonight," Julius said post-game.

The Bandits boast the highest-scoring offence in the league with 93.6 points per game, in addition to the top defence at 83.8 points allowed per game.

The Stingers also feature a disruptive defence, ranking atop the league in steals per game at 9.6 and third in points against per game at 87.2.

Additionally, t he Bandits announced Friday that forward James Karnik has been placed on Injury Reserve. Following a successful appendectomy that took place earlier this week, he will be listed as week-to-week as he recovers from appendicitis. Karnik will work with the club's strength and conditioning team to return to game action and will be reevaluated at a later date.

Player spotlight

Edmonton will have a lot to handle in the paint on Friday with the presence of Ward. In both matchups with the Stingers this season, Ward led the team in scoring.

He notched a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in the first game and a game-high 29 points in the second game.

The Stingers have an inside answer as well with Brody Clarke, who led the team with 27 points in a winning effort on Saturday.

Each team also features lethal perimeter options. Vancouver’s Zach Copeland and Koby McEwen find themselves among the CEBL’s top five in threes made per game, while Edmonton’s Elijah Miller is third in three-point percentage after hitting a league-record 10 triples against Saskatchewan earlier in the week.

Vancouver Bandits Release Curtis Hollis, Place Josip Vrankic on Inactive list

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 15:42:29 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced today the following roster updates:

Forward Josip Vrankic (CAN) will not report to Vancouver this summer. Josip sustained an injury during the postseason with his Italian club. The Bandits wish him the best in his recovery and will retain his rights for the remainder of the 2024 season.

Guard Curtis Hollis (USA) has been released from the club in order to pursue an opportunity to play with the Montréal Alliance. The Bandits thank him for his tenure in Vancouver.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. River Lions (07/01/2024)

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 02:24:45 GMT

New Title

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Niagara River Lions on July 1, 2024.

Vancouver Bandits Rout Niagara River Lions on Canada Day

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 20:18:16 GMT

Bounce back Bandits.

Coming off their worst performance of the season less than 48 hours earlier, the Bandits had a chance to get right back at it, hosting the Niagara River Lions on Monday afternoon at Langley Events Centre (LEC) in a Canada Day game broadcast coast-to-coast on TSN.

And judging by the end result, it would appear that the Bandits learned a valuable lesson as they overcame an early 10-point deficit to win convincingly, 105-83.

Vancouver improved to 9-3 – tied for the best mark in the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Western Conference with their next opponent (who also beat them convincingly in the Bandits’ last game – while the Eastern Conference-leading River Lions’ record slipped to 7-5.

“We knew what we needed to do. Mainly just keeping our character in check. Making sure we keep our heads up and our chests out and take it one play at a time. Can’t worry about nobody else, honestly,” said the Bandits’ Tazé Moore on the team’s mindset when they trailed 21-11 early.

“The other game, we came out complaining, crying, running to the refs after every problem. The only way to beat us, is us. So, we just have to keep the guys together, including myself being the head of the snake and everything, trying to make sure everybody stays on one accord, and we just take it one play at a time and just keep going,” he said.

“At the end of the day, you take wins, you take losses. That is what helps you be a winner, that is what teaches you how to win over time.”

After trimming the first quarter deficit down to three points, the Bandits turned the game in the next 10 minutes as they took an 11-point lead to the locker room thanks to a stifling defence which held Niagara to 3-for-17 shooting from the field (17.6 per cent) in the quarter.

The River Lions did pull to within four points early in the third quarter only to watch Vancouver respond with a 19-4 run to end the period, re-establishing a double-digit lead the rest of the way.

Sparking the run was a Zach Copeland ‘three’ – one of 15 the team hit – which River Lions’ coach Victor Raso called “ridiculous.”

“You have to give them credit; those guys shot the heck out of the ball,” Raso said. “They made their open ones and they made some really tough ones.”

As a team, Vancouver shot 52.1 per cent from the field, including 15-for-32 (46.9 per cent) from downtown. The 15 made threes were a season high.

Koby McEwen led all scorers with 22 points, all of which came in the first half as the Bandits guard picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter. Copeland and Nick Ward added 18 points and Moore had his second triple double of the season with 21 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds.

Bandits coach and general manager Kyle Julius said he told Moore to be in attack mode and not wait for the game to come to him.

“When he does that, he makes everyone better,” Julius said. “(And) I thought that was a complete team win. The energy was there.”

And with his team in foul trouble – three players had four fouls in the second half – Julius said the team’s bench gave a great lift. “The guys were called up and they were ready.”

Vancouver’s bench came through with both valuable minutes and some scoring: James Karnik had 10 points and six rebounds and Diego Maffia finished with nine points, three rebounds and

three assists, with all of his game time coming in the second half.

But while the offence tends to get the accolades, Moore said it has been the defence setting the tone.

“We want to make guys make plays; make them think a little bit more, being a little bit more aggressive,” he said. “As long as we are the ones being aggressive, and we are the ones punching, I think we are going to win every game, honestly.”

Niagara was led by 18 points apiece from Khalil Ahmad and TJ Lall. The team shot 38 per cent from the field, including just 5-for-23 (22 per cent) from beyond the arc.

“Mental toughness. It has been happening to us for a while now. Things don’t go our way and we don’t handle it properly. We don’t handle the ups and the downs of a game very well. We let a bad call, or a really difficult shot influence three of the next plays, and it is unacceptable, honestly,” Raso said.

“It is incredibly frustrating and honestly if it doesn’t get fixed quickly then I have to fix it and I don’t have a lot of time in a short season like this to get guys to play the game mentally the right way.”

“If our guys don’t respond, then I will have to make changes really quick.”

Up next for the Bandits is a huge showdown in Edmonton against the Stingers on Friday (July 5) with top spot in the Western Conference on the line.

Following its upcoming road trip, Vancouver will return home to LEC for a rematch versus the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Sporting a 1-1 record against the Rattlers so far this season, the Bandits will look to maintain important ground in a competitive CEBL western conference.

Bandits host River Lions on Canada Day

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 17:35:42 GMT

A championship preview may unfold on Canada Day in Vancouver.

The Bandits, tied atop the Western Conference at 8-3 along with the Edmonton Stingers, are set to meet the East-leading Niagara River Lions (7-4) at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT at Langley Events Centre. Live broadcast coverage is available on TSN and Next Level Sports & Entertainment, and you can stream the game on CEBL+, TSN+ and Courtside 1891.

For Vancouver, the contest against the River Lions has suddenly become an important measuring stick as the team has lost two of its past three games to relinquish its spot alone in first place.

The Bandits’ most recent effort was a 19-point loss against the Stingers.

Still, B.C.’s team is a force to be reckoned with – especially at home, where the Bandits sport a 6-1 record. For the season, Vancouver allows the fewest points per game in the league at 83.9 while scoring the second-most at 92.5.

Even the River Lions’ biggest potential advantage – they pull down three more offensive rebounds per game than anyone else – is somewhat negated by Vancouver’s second-best proficiency on the glass.

Yet Vancouver, almost out of nowhere, now finds itself needing to regain its footing.

"Our lack of emotional resilience, I think, is definitely something we have to deal with, so you can take that away,” Bandits head coach Kyle Julius said after the loss against the Stingers. “I think that's a good thing for us. The only team that can beat the Bandits is the Bandits."

Niagara, meanwhile, may be feeling confident after pulling away from Saskatchewan in Target Score Time for their latest victory on Saturday.

A win over Vancouver would put two games between the River Lions and the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the East.

It would also send the River Lions home from a three-game Western swing feeling good as the season enters its stretch run.

“Coming out of this road trip 2-1 would be awesome. We didn’t play very well the first game [a 94-82 loss to the Sea Bears]. We didn’t play honestly very well tonight,” Niagara head coach Victor Raso said after beating the Rattlers.

“To be in this position puts us in a pretty good spot to try to be the No. 1 seed in our conference.”

Key matchup

Reigning CEBL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Ahmad has only been back with the River Lions for four games in the 2024 season, but he appears to be finding his stride.

Against the Rattlers, Ahmad swiped his first steal of the season and impacted the game in all aspects.

He’ll have his hands full Monday, though, as he takes on Vancouver’s Tazé Moore, a 6-foot-5 wing who’s 10 ^th overall in points per game fifth in rebounding and first in assists.

Milestone watch

Niagara’s T.J. Lall is six points away from 500 for his career, regular season only
Niagara’s Nathan Cayo is two assists away from 100 for his career, including playoffs
Vancouver’s Koby McEwen is six assists away from 200 for his career, including playoffs

Vancouver Bandits Drop Home Tilt Versus Edmonton Stingers in Sell-out at Langley Events Centre

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 07:48:06 GMT

Something had to give on Saturday night.

The Edmonton Stingers brought their perfect 5-0 road record to Langley Events Centre where the Vancouver Bandits looked to extend their unblemished 6-0 mark on their home court as the two top teams in the Canadian Elite Basketball League squared off.

In the end, it was the visitors extending their road winning streak with a 107-88 win in front of a sell-out crowd of 4,538 fans as the Bandits celebrated their Filipino Heritage Game.

The result leaves both teams with identical 8-3 records with the season series at one victory apiece with a crucial third and final meeting set for July 5 in Edmonton.

“I don’t think that was a regular loss. I don’t want to take anything away from Edmonton … that was the Vancouver Bandits beating the Vancouver Bandits,” said Vancouver coach and general

manager Kyle Julius.

“Our lack of emotional resilience is definitely something we have to deal with, so you can take that away,” he added when asked what the team can learn from its most lopsided defeat of the season.

The Bandits entered the contest boasting both the league’s top offence (93.0 points per game) and stingiest defence (81.2 points per game) but aside from a back-and-forth first quarter which featured a pair of ties and eight lead changes, it was all Edmonton as the Stingers nearly reached triple digits even before Target Score Time, and handing the Bandits a 19-point defeat.

The bread-and-butter of Vancouver’s success through the first 10 games has been their outside game, but their shooters could not get on track against the Stingers, especially in the first half as they hit on just four of their 20 3-point attempts (20 per cent).

“We missed a lot of good looks. I actually thought that in the first half that was some of the most open threes we have had all year, to be honest. We just didn’t make it,” Julius said.

Despite the cold shooting opening 20 minutes, the Bandits were down nine going into the second half and trimmed the deficit to three points with a 5-0 spurt to open the third. But Edmonton would respond with a 13-0 run of their own. The closest Vancouver would get from that point was within seven later in the period.

“Coach has been preaching all week that this is effectively a mid-season playoff game for us. We felt like we deserved it. We had to come out here and show it on their home court,” said Edmonton’s Brody Clarke. “We stuck to what we came here to do: we stayed gritty, we stayed out of all the ticky-tacky stuff.”

Clarke led his team with 27 points and seven rebounds and the Stingers bench outscored Vancouver’s reserves 47-16.

“We play a team style of basketball and it is going to be someone else’s night every single night if we are doing the right things on offence. It happened to be me today,” Clarke said.

“It is what we talk about from the start of the year; we want to make sure we can roll with 10-12 guys on a nightly basis.”

That depth is surely to be tested over the next week and a half as Saturday’s contest was the first of six games in 11 days for Edmonton, with travel needed to Edmonton on July 1 for a home game and then in Winnipeg two days later. The Stingers then head back to the Alberta capital two days later for a rematch with the Bandits in the game to decide the season series, which is the first tiebreaker should they end up with an identical record with Vancouver.

While Clarke had 27 points, Michael Nuga added 17, Elijah Miller had 13 and Trey McGowens chipped in 11. For the Bandits, Nick Ward finished with 29-20 of which came in the first half – while

Zach Copeland had 17 and Tazé Moore scored 15 to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists.

After hitting on just 20 per cent of their three-point attempts in the first half, the Bandits were 9-for-14 after halftime, a 64 per cent clip. They finished at 38.2 per cent, which is right around their season average.

“We know their top four can put the ball in the basket from inside and outside. They have a really diversified attack, they run some good actions,” said Edmonton coach and general manager Jordan Baker, who stressed that his team will need to do a better job in the upcoming rematch, citing Ward’s 20 first-half points as just one area to address.

Unfortunately for the Bandits, Moore fouled out of the game near the end of the third quarter while Ward was ejected following his second technical foul shortly before Target Score Time.

As a team, Vancouver received four technical fouls and 29 total fouls compared to 23 fouls for Edmonton. The Stingers also had 31 free throw attempts compared to the Bandits’ 20.

Vancouver is right back in action on Canada Day as they host the Niagara River Lions at Langley Events Centre. Game time on Monday will be 5 p.m. PT and will also be broadcast nationally on TSN.

The Bandits will wear a special edition jersey featuring iconic imagery of Canadian hero Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope. Proceeds from the sale of each jersey will be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation in support of cancer research across Canada.

The jersey is available in both adult and youth sizes for pre-order at this link while a limited selection of replica jerseys will be available for sale at the Bandits’ Canada Day game.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Stingers (06/29/2024)

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 05:08:33 GMT

New Title

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Edmonton Stingers on June 29, 2024.

Bandits host Stingers in battle for first place

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 19:32:21 GMT

The teams with the two best records in the CEBL will go head-to-head Saturday night in Vancouver.

The West-leading Vancouver Bandits (8-2) host the second place Edmonton Stingers (7-3) at Langley Events Centre. Live coverage is available at 7:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. MT / 10:30 p.m. ET on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. It will also be televised on Game+ in Canada.

It’s also a battle of the best home team and best road team in 2024.

The Bandits are riding a franchise-best six-game winning streak at home this season, sporting a perfect 6-0 record and outscoring opponents on average by more than 20 points per game.

On the other side, the Stingers are perfect on the road with a 5-0 record away from the friendly confines of Edmonton EXPO Centre.

Something has to give.

Vancouver is coming off a 104-67 drubbing of the Ottawa BlackJacks last Saturday, a game that was well in hand just minutes into the first quarter. The Bandits jumped out to a 10-0 lead and built a 29-12 lead after the first frame before cruising to another home win.

Koby McEwen led the way with a game-high 28 points, six rebounds and five assists – including a game-winning three pointer.

The Stingers dropped a 91-80 decision at home in their last game to the Calgary Surge as a result of being held scoreless in Target Time.

Davion Warren led the Stingers with 16 points and six rebounds in the loss, dropping Edmonton’s home record to 2-3 on the season.

Player to Watch

Bandits’ MVP candidate Taze Moore has been nothing short of spectacular this season.

Moore consistently finds himself all over the stat sheet, leading the league with 8.4 assists per game and posting a team-best 8.6 rebounds per game. He also sits second on Vancouver in points per game (18.1), steals per game (1.5), minutes per games (32.1) and field goal percentage (51.8), and is third in three pointers made (19) and three point percentage (36.5).

Milestone watch

Vancouver’s Koby McEwen needs nine assists for 200 total (regular season and playoffs) assists, and three steals for 50 totals steals
Vancouver’s Nick Ward needs three blocked shots for 50 regular season blocked shots
Edmonton’s Nick Hornsby needs seven rebounds for 250 regular season rebounds, and two steals for 50 totals steals
Edmonton’s Brody Clarke needs six assists for 100 total assists

2024 Season Series

In the first meeting between the clubs on June 4, Vancouver grinded out a 93-90 win in Edmonton.

Nick Ward and James Karnik each had double-doubles as the Bandits erased a 12-point deficit and handed the Stingers their first loss of the season. The forward duo accounted for 40 per cent of the Bandits’ scoring production and over 50 per cent of their boards as Ward finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds and Karnik had 16 points and 13 rebounds.

The teams will meet for the third and final time in the 2024 regular season next Friday (July 5) in Edmonton.

Vancouver Bandits, CEBL to Expand Regular Season to 24-Game Format in 2025

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 23:24:38 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits and the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that the team and league will expand its regular season to a 24-game format in 2025.

This increases the overall number of league-wide games from 100 to 120 regular season games next summer. In addition, the season will start approximately one week earlier next year in early May and end two weeks later in late August.

Vancouver Bandits season ticket packages for the 2025 season will include all 12 regular season games and one potential playoff game. All 12 regular season home games will be included in 2025 season ticket packages as part of a 13-game package that features an additional playoff game to be determined (subject to qualification for the postseason).

The Bandits’ season ticket base currently stands at an all-time high and the renewal period for current season ticket holders will begin in July. More information regarding 2025 season ticket renewals and deposits will be shared later this summer. Fans interested in learning more about 2025 season tickets are invited to register their interest at this link or reach out to tickets@thebandits.ca .

“The demand for Bandits and CEBL Basketball continues to grow year-over-year. This expansion of the schedule is a reflection of a flourishing local and national passion for the sport. We continue to strive for excellence on and off the court and we are excited to feature an expanded schedule that gives more families, friends and businesses an opportunity to be part of and enjoy our game day experience,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

The 2025 CEBL season will mark the most games played and longest timeframe of an individual season in what will be the seventh campaign in league history. With the exception of the pandemic-shortened 2020 and 2021 seasons, the CEBL has played a 20-game regular season schedule since the league’s inception in 2019. Most recently, that included 100 regular season games that were scheduled from late May until early August annually.

“With an expanded schedule and larger window for our games next summer, our fans will have more fan-friendly options, including more weekend games and two additional home dates to see their favourite CEBL teams and stars live in action,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL.

“As we continue to take giant leaps forward across the business, it’s clear fans and partners want more CEBL basketball and our players deserve more opportunities to showcase their skills and to earn more. We are happy to be able to deliver all of that as we prepare for another exciting season in 2025.”

Vancouver continues its homestand this Saturday, June 29 when it will look to defend home court against the Edmonton Stingers at Langley Events Centre (LEC) as part of the club’s Filipino Heritage Game.

Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets for the game are nearly sold out and limited seats are available for purchase at this link .

More information can be found at thebandits.ca/tickets or by speaking with a Bandits representative by calling (604) 455-8881 or emailing tickets@thebandits.ca .

More than 50 CEBL games will be broadcast live nationally on TSN and Game+ in 2024, with an additional eight games in French on RDS . Fans can also livestream all regular season, playoff and Championship Weekend games on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Next Level Sports & Entertainment – The U.S. Home for CEBL, will pick up 40 CEBL games for its U.S. audience this season, while international streaming service, Courtside1891 , will carry 27 games for subscribers outside North America.

Vancouver Bandits Catch Fire Versus Ottawa, Win 6th Straight Home Game

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 07:27:54 GMT

Langley Events Centre remains unconquered by opponents in 2024 as the Vancouver Bandits picked up a 104-67 win over the Ottawa BlackJacks on Saturday to remain perfect at home.

Vancouver is now a flawless 6-0 in front of their own fans this season, showing opposing teams the dangers of entering B.C. with the wire-to-wire victory.

“There’s a lot that’s special about this building,” Bandits’ head coach Kyle Julius said following the win. “The fans, organization … it’s really good. We’re going to be a tough team to beat in this building.”

Koby McEwen led the way with a game-high 28 points, six rebounds and five assists – including a game-winning three that got the West-leading Bandits back in the win column. He got plenty of help in the victory with Nick Ward and Zach Copeland chipping in 18 and 15 points each while Duane Notice and Kur Jongkuch (5-for-5 from the field) finished with 13 and 11 points off the bench, respectively.

Tazé Moore finished with just four points, below his usual 20.1 points per game, but found other ways to fill the stat sheet as the import racked up eight rebounds and 13 assists. His playmaking prowess tied the most dimes by a player in a single game this season.

On the other side, Brandon Sampson led the way with a team-high 17 points while going 4-of-10 from beyond the arc. He was helped by James Jean-Marie’s 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting off the bench and Zena Edosomwan’s nine-point, nine-rebound performance.

The 37-point defeat marked Ottawa’s largest loss of the season and the 67 second points scored was its fewest in 2024.

“We just came out flat,” said BlackJacks head coach James Derouin postgame. “It felt like they were locked and loaded from the opening tip-off and we didn’t have enough to respond tonight.”

Entering the game, the Bandits had a clear edge when it came to size inside the paint. Edosomwan had the unenviable task of trying to protect Ottawa’s rim from the duo of Karnik and Ward as the four other BlackJack starters were more perimeter focused. And it didn’t take long for Vancouver to take advantage of that fact as they began the contest on a 20-6 run, almost all of which came right at the basket.

And although Edosomwan slammed down a highlight reel dunk at the 0:38 mark of the frame, it didn’t slow down the Bandits as they led 29-12 after 10 minutes of action.

Vancouver ended up finishing with 50 points in the paint (+18) while shooting 51 per cent from two-point range.

Things only slipped away further from the BlackJacks in the second quarter as the Bandits opened the floodgates from deep. Vancouver drilled five threes in the frame, compared to Ottawa’s one -- their only triple in the half -- as the gap ballooned to 30 points.

Much of that production came from McEwen as he scored 11 points in the quarter, hitting three shots from beyond the arc, earning the Bandits a 61-31 lead at the break. The Toronto native was on a torrid pace through the first 20 minutes of action as he scored a game-high 20 points through the first half on 8-of-10 shooting from the field.

“Just a straight killer,” Julius said of McEwen’s growth this season while reflecting on the scoring outburst. “Competitive fire through the roof and incredible work ethic … he’s just tough as nails.”

Ottawa did pick things up defensively in the third quarter, holding Vancouver to just 16 points, but their offence wasn’t able to capitalize. The BlackJacks scored 19 points of their own -- a Sampson triple in the dying seconds of the frame making it 77-50 ahead of the fourth.

And although the import wasn’t done there, scoring Ottawa’s first 11 points in the final frame that helped cut the deficit to as little as 17 points, it proved too little too late.

Vancouver took a 94-64 lead into Target Score Time and never let up from there. The Bandits missed just one shot from that point while limiting the BlackJacks to one made basket before McEwen ended things courtesy of a left-wing triple.

The 37-point margin was the second-largest point differential in a game this season, just shy of the 43-point mark set by the Niagara River Lions on May 30. Everything went right for the Bandits as they made 19 more shots, grabbed eight more rebounds, dished 12 more assists and forced 19 turnovers (+8).

Up Next

The Bandits will stay at home, hosting the Edmonton Stingers next Saturday for a rematch between the Western Conference’s top two squads as part of the club’s Filipino Heritage Game.

Tickets for the must-watch game are on sale now at this link .

Individuals interested in ticket flexibility or purchasing a bundle of Bandits tickets are invited to consider a flex pack . More information can be found at thebandits.ca/tickets or by speaking with a Bandits representative by calling (604) 455-8881 or emailing tickets@thebandits.ca .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. BlackJacks (06/22/2024)

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 05:04:24 GMT

New Title

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Ottawa BlackJacks on June 22, 2024.

Bandits aim to bounce back against BlackJacks in lone 2024 matchup

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 19:34:20 GMT

In the only game between the cross-conference opponents this season, the Ottawa BlackJacks (2-6) visit the Vancouver Bandits (7-2) at Langley Events Centre on Saturday night.

Live coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 p.m. ET, available on CEBL+, TSN+, and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

Despite Ottawa and Vancouver entering the matchup on opposite ends of their respective conferences – BlackJacks at the bottom, Bandits at the top – both need a bounce back.

For Ottawa, they haven’t been able to string together much success to this point. If there’s anything they can see as a positive, however, is that things are trending in the right direction at least. Since their 0-3 start, the BlackJacks have gone 2-3 and their previous two games have been decided by a combined margin of just five points.

Most recently, Ottawa dropped a 92-91 contest to the Edmonton Stingers who sit in a tie with Vancouver atop the West. The BlackJacks nearly overcame a 16-point lead in that ball game, using a balanced offensive attack (48 per cent from the field, 40 per cent from three) while uncharacteristically winning the rebound battle (47-43).

Leading them in scoring against Edmonton was Tyrell Tate with 21 points on an efficient 60 per cent field goal shooting. The guard may not lead the team in scoring -- that’s Isaih Moore (17.8 points per game) -- but as of late he’s been on a tear. Tate has put up over 20 points in three of his last four appearances and is averaging 23.5 points during that span.

Meanwhile, despite a one-point loss, Ottawa won the rebound battle for just the second time all season. Much of that was thanks to recent returnee Zena Edosomwan. The forward not only brings familiarity, having played with the BlackJacks last season, he adds a much-needed paint presence. In just his second game back Edosomwan stuffed the stat sheet for a double-double of 10 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and three blocks.

The Los Angeles native helped Ottawa grab well above their usual 35.5 boards per game that ranks second-last in the CEBL. The BlackJacks will need that once again as the Bandits presents a much tougher challenge on the glass as the league’s second-best squad in that regard (42 rebounds per game).

Speaking of Vancouver, despite losing just two games all season, they have plenty of motivation entering the contest. Coming off an 88-84 loss to the Winnipeg Sea Bears, the Bandits look to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season.

It was a rare case of both teams blowing notable leads within the same ball game. Winnipeg led by as many as 14 points, even being up 13 mid-way through the third. Meanwhile, Vancouver overcame that deficit and was up 14 points with as little as six minutes left in the game yet crumbled in Target Score Time.

An offence that usually scores 91.8 points per game (second-most) and put up 112 on the same Sea Bears a week prior, was held to its third lowest scoring output of the season. It’s hard to know if that was simply an off-night or if there’s greater cause for concern.

It didn’t help that the starting lineup combined to shoot 32.8 per cent from the field. Koby McEwen and Zach Copeland went an identical 5-of-15 (33 per cent) from the field while Tazé More did slightly better at 5-for-12 (41 per cent). Meanwhile, Nick Ward, who’s one of the top scorers in the league (16.9 points per game), was held to just one point which came from the free throw line.

Bandits’ fans can at least take comfort in the fact that the BlackJacks might be the right team to face in hopes of a bounce back performance. Ottawa gives up 94.6 points per game, the second most in the CEBL.

Key matchup

Edosomwan is realistically the only bit of size the BlackJacks have to battle against Ward in the paint, especially in the starting lineup. The 30-year-old will have the unenviable task of trying to slow down the Bandits’ big man who’ll be extra motivated as he tries to avoid another lackluster performance.

How much Ward produces (or Edosomwan limits him) will likely play a swing factor in Saturday’s outcome.

2023 season series

If last year is any indication of 2024’s lone matchup, fans should expect a tightly contested ball game. Ottawa and Vancouver split the season series in 2023, the first being decided by four points and the second by just one.

Ward will likely hope for a repeat of last year, at least from an individual performance standpoint. The big man averaged 20 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks through those two contests.

Vancouver Bandits Sign CEBL Sharpshooter Devontè Bandoo

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 17:26:09 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has signed proven Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) sharpshooter Devonte Bandoo for the remainder of the 2024 season.

A former guard with the Baylor University Bears (2018-20), Bandoo was named the Big 12 Conference’s sixth man of the year in 2020.

Following his NCAA Division I tenure, he suited up for the Grand Rapids Gold and Lakeland Magic (now known as Osceola Magic), NBA G League affiliates of the Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic, respectively, in the NBA G League.

Bandoo also represented Canada’s senior men’s national team, donning the red and white at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup.

“I am happy to join the Bandits Basketball family and to play in front of a great fanbase. I am excited to be part of an organization that wants to win,” Bandoo said.

Bandoo is no stranger to CEBL fans. He played with the Saskatchewan Rattlers during the 2021 and 2022 seasons and was named the club’s Canadian player of the year in 2022 after averaging 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 34.9 minutes per game.

He led the CEBL during the regular season in total three-pointers made (64) while shooting 43 per cent from behind the arc.

Bandoo signed a contract following the 2022 CEBL season with the Leicester Riders in the British Basketball League (BBL) for the 2022-23 campaign, but his time overseas was cut short after sustaining a leg injury. He has since been recovering from the injury and is preparing for a return to play this summer.

A native of Mississauga, Ont., Bandoo made his professional debut with the Rattlers in 2021. He played 14 games and averaged 33 minutes per contest. He led the offence with a team-high 17.4 points per game. He made 43 three-pointers and shot 42.4 per cent from three-point range, which was third in all of the CEBL.

Prior to his professional career, Bandoo enjoyed a stellar collegiate career that culminated with him playing his final two years of eligibility at Baylor University in Texas.

During the 2019-20 collegiate season, Bandoo helped the Bears achieve a school-record 23-game winning streak, which earned Baylor a No. 1 ranking for five-straight weeks. In his final year with the Bears, Bandoo shot a team-leading 38.5 per cent from three-point range and averaged 7.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game during a shortened season.

Prior to transferring to Baylor, Bandoo played two years for Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. The 6-foot-3 guard helped Hutchinson Community College claim the 2017 NJCAA Division I national championship where he scored a season-high and team-leading 22 points in the championship game against Eastern Florida State College.

Vancouver is back at home on Saturday, June 22 to defend home court against the Ottawa BlackJacks at Langley Events Centre (LEC) as part of the club’s Indigenous Celebration Game.

Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets for the highly anticipated and fast-selling game are on sale now at this link .

Vancouver Bandits Battle to the Wire in Tough Loss versus Winnipeg

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 17:22:05 GMT

A second-half comeback by the Vancouver Bandits (7-2) fell short as BC’s pro basketball team ran out of steam late against the Winnipeg Sea Bears (4-5), who were fueled by a game-high 32 points from Justin Wright-Foreman on Wednesday night.

It was a season-high night for last year’s MVP runner-up in just his third game as a Sea Bear. And none of his baskets were more important than the last one, as Wright-Foreman banked in a deep three for the game-winner.

His heroics helped Winnipeg overcome the fact they had blown a 13-point third quarter lead and trailed by 12 heading into Target Score Time.

“I always think a win is possible,” said Wright-Foreman when asked what went through his mind during the game’s final moments. “No lead is safe, (especially) in Target Time.

“I feel like today we did an overall team effort to win this game … it’s about all of us as a group and that was most impressive.”

Wright-Foreman was backed up by Emmanuel Akot’s 15 points off the bench, Simon Hildebrandt’s 10 points and David Muenkat’s seven-point, 12-rebound performance.

On the other side, the Bandits’ furious second half rally ultimately fell short. Vancouver was led by Duane Notice’s season-high 19 points off the bench, while Koby McEwen, Tazé Moore and Zach Copeland each pitched in with 17, 15 and 14, respectively. James Karnik narrowly missed out on a double-double with nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

“It sucks to lose,” Notice said postgame. “But it’ll be another lesson for us, especially being on the road and learning how to play together. And knowing us we’re going to fight through the adversity and get back at it.”

The biggest question mark heading into the game was what this Sea Bears team would look like without Teddy Allen, having released the guard on Monday.

And the early returns were as positive as Winnipeg fans could have hoped for as they began the game on a 14-3 run. Most surprisingly, it was sparked by their defensive effort. A ball club that typically gives up a league-high 98.8 points per game held the Bandits to just five made baskets on 35 per cent field goal shooting in the opening frame.

“Everyone was connected,” Taylor said on what clicked defensively as they led 28-18 after the first quarter. “Defending within the system and trusting all five guys were giving maximum effort … a unified defence.”

And although the Bandits weren’t phased by their slow start, promptly hitting a barrage of threes in the second quarter to cut the lead down to as little as three points -- Winnipeg had a response of its own.

The Sea Bears’ answer came in the form of Wright-Foreman as the import replied to Vancouver’s five made threes in the frame by scoring 11 points to rebuild the home team’s lead.

Any doubts over how the Sea Bears would account for the absence of Allen’s league-leading 28.1 points per game were quickly dispelled thanks to the leadership of Wright-Foreman. Last year’s MVP runner-up finished the first half with 19 points as Winnipeg held onto a 46-37 lead.

“We were not playing with a lot of life,” Julius said of the Bandits’ first half play. “We lost all our fifty-fifty battles, we were flat.

“… We haven’t been down like that at the half all year, it’s a good test.”

And it’s safe to say Vancouver passed that test despite giving up an 8-0 run and trailing by as many as 13 points in the third.

Trailing 57-44 at the 4:39 mark of the frame, the Bandits went on a 16-1 run to take their first lead all night. The outburst was spearheaded by Notice who hit back-to-back threes as part of nine points in the frame.

Normally considered a glue guy, Notice took over the scoring load with usuals McEwen, Copeland and Moore all having inefficient nights. And he easily outpaced his usual output of 5.5 points per game as Vancouver led 64-62 headed into the fourth thanks to his effort.

“Not at all surprised,” Julius said on the Bandits captain taking charge in the third quarter. “He works on his game as hard as anyone I’ve been around, he’s a winner and showed that tonight.”

And it appeared the Bandits had all-but sealed the victory through the first six minutes of the final frame as they went on a 14-4 run and led 78-66 prior to Target Score Time.

That was when Winnipeg’s defence, dormant since the first quarter, woke up and led the improbable comeback. The Sea Bears began the stoppage period on a 9-0 run, forcing the Bandits to miss their first five shots.

And from there, Winnipeg capitalized. Alex Campbell and Muenkat hit back-to-back triples to give the Sea Bears an 85-84 lead, before forcing a contested heave from Moore on the other end which allowed Wright-Foreman to then drill the game-winning dagger.”

“Target Score Time is a player;s game,” Taylor said on his impressions of the Sea Bears in the game-winning moments. “We have to go out there and turn up our (defence) and make plays, and they did it.”

Following tonight, Vancouver is back at home on Saturday, June 22 with a visit from the Ottawa BlackJacks to Langley Events Centre as part of the club’s Indigenous Celebration Game.

Tickets for the highly anticipated and fast-selling game are on sale now at this link .

Top-seeded Bandits take on Sea Bears in Winnipeg

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 19:23:27 GMT

The new-look Winnipeg Sea Bears (3-5) aim to end a four-game skid as they welcome the West-leading Vancouver Bandits to Canada Life Centre on Wednesday night.

Live coverage begins at 5 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET on TSN and on NLSE in the United States. Fans can also stream the action on CEBL+, TSN+, Courtside 1891 (outside North America) and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

Although the Western Conference rivals met less than a week ago, a lot has changed since Vancouver’s 112-91 victory.

Notably, Winnipeg will be without Teddy Allen after parting ways with him Monday . At the time of his release, Allen led the league in average scoring (28.1 points per game) and was second in minutes (34.2), made threes (3.3) and free throw percentage (89.8).

His individual offensive production hadn’t translated to team success like in 2023 however, as the Sea Bears enter Wednesday losers of four in a row while sporting the league’s weakest defence. Winnipeg is giving up 98.8 points per game, the most in the CEBL, and through their losing streak have seen that number jump to 105.

The 112 points conceded to the Bandits last Thursday was the most given up by any team this season. Vancouver shot 56 per cent from the field, 51 per cent from three (14-of-27) and 88 per cent from the free throw line (16-of-18).

Despite the Sea Bears doing plenty offensively – scoring the third-most points per game in the CEBL (91.3) – their gaps on defence have proven too big and Allen’s CEBL leading turnover rate (4.3) contributed to that.

The end of the Allen era marks the beginning of the Justin Wright-Foreman era in Winnipeg. The Sea Bears recently signed last year’s MVP runner-up and he has averaged 25.5 points, five rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in his first two contests with the club. Against the Bandits, Wright-Foreman finished with a team-high 29 points on 52 per cent shooting to go with six assists.

On the other side, the Bandits sport the best record in the CEBL and are in the midst of a league-best five-game win streak – tied for their longest in franchise history.

It’s been a balanced showing for Vancouver as they rank second on both offence (92.8 points per game) and defence (82.6 points allowed per game).

And in the Bandits’ most recent victory, they avenged the lone blemish on their record to this point, picking up a 98-85 win against the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Taking on the only team to hand them a loss appeared to be something the Bandits took personally.

Vancouver, despite being outproduced in the paint and on the glass, was able to snag the win thanks to a late surge. The Bandits edge from distance (+8 made threes) kept them in the ball game, and come the fourth quarter, their defence carried them to victory. Saskatchewan was held to just nine points in the fourth quarter as Vancouver extended its win streak.

The Bandits were once again led by Tazé Moore, their do-it-all point guard. The import finished with a game-high 25 points, seven rebounds, nine assist and two steals. Nearly making it a second consecutive triple-double after logging a monster line of 35 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists against Winnipeg the game prior.

Moore has steadily strengthened his early MVP case as the lone player in the top three for average points (21), rebounds (8.8), assists (8) and minutes (33.2) per game. There’s also the fact Vancouver remains undefeated with Moore in the lineup, as he was a scratch due to illness in their lone loss to the Rattlers.

Key Matchup

Although there’s plenty of dynamism in the backcourt for fans to enjoy in this matchup, keep an eye on a battle inside the paint.

Winnipeg’s Byron Mullens, the league’s second-leading shot blocker (2.3) will look to slow down Nick Ward, the CEBL’s fifth leading scorer (18.9). The Vancouver forward took round one of the heavyweight bout, as Ward finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds and two blocks compared to Mullens seven points and nine rebounds.

If the Sea Bears are going to turnaround their defensive woes, the former first-round NBA draft pick will have to lead the charge. Mullens can do just so by shutting down Ward on Wednesday.

Vancouver Bandits Race Past Rattlers to Earn Fifth Straight Victory

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 06:41:20 GMT

Make it five straight for the streaking Vancouver Bandits.

With the score knotted at 76 entering the fourth quarter, the Bandits were dominant down the stretch, outscoring the Saskatchewan Rattlers 22-9 over the final period and Target Score Time for an impressive 98-85 win on Saturday night at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

The victory not only improved the Bandits to a Canadian Elite Basketball League-best 7-1, but it also avenged the team’s only blemish, a 98-86 setback to those same Rattlers in the season’s third game.

“That was our main focus, knowing that they had given us our only loss. They were our target and we wanted to set a statement for the rest of the league,” said Vancouver’s Duane Notice. “We were definitely motivated to get this win, especially in front of our home fans; they have been a tremendous boost of energy.”

Notice, the team’s captain, normally comes off the bench, but was pushed into the starting line-up for Saturday’s game. And while his stat line didn’t pop – five points, nine rebounds and three assists in 30:10 of floor time – it is his contribution in other areas that make him stand out.

“He is our true glue guy. He leads our group by his action,” said Vancouver head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “He is our captain; sacrifices his body, he guards every position. Gets his fingernails on loose balls that get into our hands.”

Vancouver led for all but 3:03 of the game, and that came in the early stages of the opening quarter. The Bandits built a 26-21 lead after 10 minutes and stretched the advantage to as many as 13 before taking a 58-50 lead to the locker room.

A big reason for that was the fact the Bandits hit 55.6 percent of their 3-point attempts (10-for-18) in the first 20 minutes, compared to 4-for-17 (23.5 percent) in the second half. With the deep ball not dropping, it allowed the Rattlers to rally and tie the score at 76 entering the final period.

“They hit some shots, we didn’t. It was our 2’s against their 3’s,” said Saskatchewan coach Larry Abney, referencing the fact his team was just 6-for-25 (24 percent) from downtown, compared to 28-for-43 (65.1 percent) from inside the arc for the game.

“We got some hands up, but they made some shots. Hats off to them, (Vancouver) played a great game.”

The Bandits were able to hold the CEBL’s leading scorer Jalen Harris (who came in averaging 27.7 per game) to 24 points, including just nine in the first half.

Tazé Moore led the team with 25 points, seven rebounds and nine assists while Nick Ward had 21 points and seven boards. Koby McEwen and Zach Copeland each chipped in with 16 and Diego Maffia came off the bench to score 11, all of which came in the middle two quarters.

“He really sparked us and got the crowd going,” Julius said, marveling at the difficulty of playing 13:19. That’s compared to a total of 14:00 of floor time over the past five games combined.

On the other side, Saskatchewan trio of Elijah Harkless (25 points), Harris (24) and Bryson Williams (23) all surpassed the 20-point plateau, but Vancouver limited the Rattlers bench to just nine points.

Notice said a team’s defensive identity is key to success and through the first eight games, they are allowing just 82.6 points per game, second lowest among the 10 teams.

“That (defence) is the focus every game. We know we have talented offensive guys … (but) shots aren’t always going to fall; you will make some, miss some, but we want to bring that defensive intensity every single possession. We want that to be our identity and I think we are doing that right now,” he said.

The Bandits are off to Winnipeg for a quick mid-week road trip to battle the Sea Bears on June 19.

Following that, Vancouver is back at home on June 22 with a visit from the Ottawa BlackJacks to Langley Events Centre as part of the club’s Indigenous Celebration Game.

Tickets for the highly anticipated and fast-selling game are on sale now at this link .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Rattlers (06/15/2024)

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 04:55:26 GMT

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Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Saskatchewan Rattlers on June 15, 2024.

Bandits look to avenge lone loss in rematch with Rattlers

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 20:29:46 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (6-1) welcome the Saskatchewan Rattlers (5-2) to Langley Events Centre on Saturday night for the second of three regular season matchups this season.

Live coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. CST / 10:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch all the action on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

Vancouver may lead the Western Conference with a near-perfect record, but they’ll still have plenty to gain this weekend, as their lone blemish to this point was a 98-86 loss against Saskatchewan two weeks ago.

There was a caveat regarding the outcome however, as Vancouver was without it’s do-it-all guard Tazé Moore. The team’s leading scorer was a late scratch due to illness and his absence was greatly felt.

Without Moore’s 20.2 points per game (fourth-most in the CEBL) and steadying presence, the Bandits’ offence appeared to be in disarray. They turned the ball over 18 times, shot 34 per cent from the field and 27 per cent from downtown, looking nothing like the team that typically scores 92 points per game (tied for second most in the league).

And if that doesn’t make the 25-year-old’s impact clear enough, how about the fact that Vancouver is still undefeated with him in the lineup? In their latest victory, a 112-91 win over the Winnipeg Sea Bears, Moore put up a monster triple-double of 35 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists.

He’s one of just two CEBL players this season to record a triple double.

Moore’s play spearheaded a season-best offensive performance for the Bandits, as they dominated the Sea Bears in practically all point-producing statistical categories. They shot better from the field (+10%), grabbed more rebounds (+7) and dished more assists (+11).

The glaring absence of Moore doesn’t fully discredit Saskatchewan’s victory over Vancouver, however. It might’ve been a single-digit win in the end, but the Rattlers never trailed in the contest as they outproduced the West’s No. 1 squad from the field (+8), the paint (+10) and three-point line (+3).

Saskatchewan was led by a star guard of its own, with Jalen Harris putting up 27 to go with six rebounds and nine assists. He was backed up by a three-headed monster of Elijah Harkless, Maurice Calloo and Grant Basile who each chipped in 19 points.

Since that victory – and a 3-0 start – the Rattlers went on a two-game losing streak before sweeping a home-and-home set against the Brampton Honey Badgers. Their latest victory, like the Bandits, was a season-best offensive performance.

It was a 104-93 win for Saskatchewan as they shot 52 per cent from the field, made 14 threes on a 43 per cent clip and dominated the glass for 41 rebounds (+14). And again, similar to Vancouver, it was thanks to their leading scorer having a special game.

Harris put up a historic 45 points against the Honey Badgers on Wednesday, setting a new CEBL single-game scoring record. The import scored 21 of those points in the third quarter alone as he finished the game shooting 62 per cent from the field and 66 per cent from beyond the arc.

The record-setting performance leapfrogged him to the top of the CEBL’s scoring leaderboard, now averaging 27.7 points per game.

Key matchup

Harris vs. Moore will be the battle to keep an eye on. It’s going to be a heavyweight bout between the league’s No. 1 and No. 4 scorers, both of whom are coming off CEBL career-best performances.

The pair also lead the league in minutes played per game, so fans can expect to see plenty of action between the matchup on Saturday night.

We might have missed out on two of the league’s best duking it out in the first contest but round two has the potential to more than make up for that. A win for the Bandits extends their lead over the conference and casts doubt on the Rattlers original victory, while a Saskatchewan win brings them into a tie for first in the West and validates their previous performance.

Career Night for Tazé Moore Fuels Vancouver Over Winnipeg

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 06:37:55 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C. , June 13, 2024 – In the off-chance fans were not familiar with the Vancouver Bandits and their red-hot start to the CEBL season, any remaining mystery surrounding the team has likely dissipated.

Playing at Langley Events Centre on Thursday night in a nationally broadcasted game on TSN, the Bandits flexed their might, scoring 62 in the first half alone in a 112-91 victory over the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

It improved Vancouver to 6-1 – and has them atop the Canadian Elite Basketball League standings – and in addition to improving to 4-0 on their home court, three of the Bandits’ victories have been by 20-plus points.

For Winnipeg, this was a third-straight loss following a 3-1 start as their record slipped to 3-4. It was also the Bandits’ first-ever win against Winnipeg after the Sea Bears won all four meetings in 2023.

But that was last year and this edition of the Bandits is something else.

Tazé Moore capped off a remarkable night individually, as he sank a long-distance 3-pointer for the clinching points in Target Score Time. He finished with 35 points – a Bandits franchise record – to go along with 16 rebounds (15 of which came on the defensive end) and 11 assists for the first triple double in team history and just the fifth in league history.

“That was special. I thought he did it without being selfish. He picked and chose his times. It was an impressive 35 points,” said Bandits coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “He just has great feel.”

Even more impressive was the fact Moore missed the last few days of practice while he attended workouts with a few NBA clubs and just learned a few new wrinkles this morning the team added in his absence.

While Moore posted the gaudy stats, he was far from alone in doing damage offensively. Koby McEwen scored 24, Nick Ward had 20, Zach Copeland chipped in with 11 and James Karnik added 10 as all five Bandits starters reached double figures.

Vancouver shot nearly 57 per cent from the field, including an eye-popping 51.9 per cent from downtown, as they connected on 14 of 27 of three-point attempts.

“I wouldn’t say it is a shock because I know we recruited great shooters,” Julius said when asked about connecting on such a high percentage.

And when the outside game is nailing more than half their attempts, it makes for a tough night for teams to defend, especially with the inside game of Ward and Karnik.

“You have to respect everybody. There’s not one person you can help off of. That’s a hard cover when you can’t help on anybody, everyone has to go one-on-one; everybody can score,

everybody can rebound, everybody can do everything. That’s tough to defend,” Ward said when asked about the challenges of defending Vancouver.

But while the final score was lopsided, the Sea Bears did have their moments, trailing 28-21 after one quarter and then trimming a 16-point halftime deficit down to four points in the third quarter at 65-61.

Julius credited the insertion of Sam Maillet and Duane Notice onto the floor at that critical juncture as a turning point.

“I thought they literally changed the game themselves; their energy and their defence; I thought we just took off from there,” the coach said.

Following the substitutions, Vancouver re-established the double-digit lead, going ahead 84-71 after three quarters and then opening the fourth with a 12-0 run.

“Give the Bandits credit; they hit shots and made some plays. Tazé was outstanding today, but it wasn’t just him, it was a team effort,” said Winnipeg coach Mike Taylor.

Thursday’s game marked the Sea Bears debut of Justin Wright-Foreman and last year’s leading scorer in the CEBL (with Saskatchewan) saw him pick up where he left off with 29 points and six assists. Teddy Allen added 24, giving Winnipeg a deadly backcourt tandem.

Offensively, the Sea Bears were right near their season average as they entered the contest averaging 92 points per game. It is defensively where they struggle, as they sit dead last in the CEBL, allowing 99 points per game.

“We were just a step slow and then you combine it with some of the bone-headed turnovers, we just threw away the ball right to them,” Taylor said.

The coach also stressed that more ball movement is key as his team finished with just 11 assists, compared to Vancouver’s 21.

Up next for the Bandits is another home game on Saturday (June 15, 7:30 p.m. PT) at Langley Events Centre as Vancouver looks to avenge their lone loss of the season with a visit from the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

Tickets for the highly anticipated and fast-selling game are on sale now at this link .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Sea Bears (06/13/2024)

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 05:03:06 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on June 13th, 2024.

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League-Leading Vancouver Bandits Host Winnipeg Sea Bears

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 16:27:49 GMT

A pair of western conference rivals are set to clash on national television tonight.

The Vancouver Bandits (5-1) are hosting the Winnipeg Sea Bears (3-3) at 7:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 p.m. ET at the Langley Events Centre on TSN. The game will also be available for streaming on CEBL+ , TSN+, and the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices, and televised on NLSE in the United States.

The game will mark Justin Wright-Foreman’s debut for the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The Brooklyn, N.Y native, who signed with the Sea Bears on Monday, led the league with 29.2 points per game as a Saskatchewan Rattler last season. He is set to team up in the backcourt with reigning CEBL MVP Teddy Allen.

Both players averaged more than 25 points per game last season en route to headlining the ALL CEBL First Team roster.

“Last year was my first year in the CEBL. I didn’t know what to expect and had the greatest experience of my life,” Wright-Foreman said in a statement earlier this week.

The duo are going to matchup against a Bandits squad that have proved to be the class of the western conference this year.

One year after falling just short of the CEBL Championship Game, Vancouver has gotten off to a blistering start in hopes of returning to Championship Weekend — riding a three-game win streak heading into tonight’s contest. Vancouver is also 3-0 at home to start the year.

The Bandits knocked off the Calgary Surge 70-65 in their last outing, holding 2023 CEBL All-Canadian Sean Miller-Moore to nine points on 3-14 shooting. Returnee Nick Ward has led the way for the Bandits this season, averaging a hair over 18 points per game and shooting more than 60 per cent from the field.

Guard Curtis Hollis also bolstered Vancouver’s perimeter in his season debut last Friday, scoring 21 points and grabbing six boards in a five-point win over the Surge. The 6-foot-6 guard from Arlington, Texas also knocked down three of his four triples.

He’ll be joined in the backcourt by Zach Copeland, Koby McEwen and ex-Sea Bear Glen Yang.

The addition of Wright-Foreman comes at a crucial time for Winnipeg, as the team has lost two consecutive games after winning three of their first four to start the season.

Allen is leading the CEBL in points per game (27) through his first six contests. But backcourt mate Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson has also picked up a lot of the slack offensively. Ogungbemi-Jackson, who is averaging 18 points and 6 assists per game in his first season with the Sea Bears, has scored a total of 42 points combined in his last two games.

Alex Campbell, the all-time leading scorer in Bandits history, will also play his first game against his former team tonight.

Since entering the CEBL last season, the Sea Bears are 4-0 against the Bandits. This is the first matchup between these two teams this season. They will square off again next week, June 19, in Winnipeg.

Following this game, Vancouver will host Saskatchewan on Saturday night. Winnipeg will travel home for a date with the Edmonton Stingers on Sunday.

Key matchup:

Two of Vancouver’s guards, Tazé Moore and Copeland, are averaging the most minutes in the CEBL this season, with 34.8 and 33.9 minutes played respectively through their first six games. It will be worth monitoring their minutes and deployment against the combination of Wright-Foreman and Allen in the backcourt.

As a team, prior to the Wright-Foreman addition, the Sea Bears are averaging the second most points per game (92) in the league.

But Winnipeg has had trouble keeping the ball out of their own hoop, giving up a CEBL-high 96.8 points per game. Vancouver’s team defence, meanwhile, is surrendering only 80.8 points per game — second best in the league.

Record Growth Numbers Accelerate as CEBL's Sixth Season Takes Flight

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 17:06:01 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League’s (CEBL) sixth season has launched the same way its fifth season ended – posting record growth numbers across the business.

The year-over-year accension from the same time frame and number of games from 2023’s opening weeks includes a 41 per cent increase in league-wide attendance numbers (70,308) and a 189 per cent spike in viewership on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor. The league’s 2,717,089 social media impressions throughout Opening Week powered by Neo Financial represented a 113 per cent increase from the same period last season.

Home opener attendance numbers were also up 31 per cent from 2023 as two of the three highest-attended CEBL games ever took place over the course of four days. The largest single-game crowd in league history tipped off the season May 21 when 12,327 CEBL fans filed into Scotiabank Saddledome to see the Calgary Surge and Edmonton Stingers. The Winnipeg Sea Bears followed that up three days later with the third largest single-game crowd ever for a CEBL game, hosting 9,116 fans May 24 in their home opener against the Scarborough Shooting Stars at Canada Life Centre. Winnipeg holds the CEBL single-game playoff attendance record of 10,580 fans (Aug. 4/23 vs. Edmonton).

Record growth highlights from the start of the 2024 CEBL season include:

Attendance

41% increase in total attendance over 2023
31% increase in home openers league-wide over 2023
League record 12,327 fans at Calgary Surge vs. Edmonton Stingers season-opening game May 21 at Scotiabank Saddledome
Third largest crowd ever for a CEBL game (9,116) at Winnipeg Sea Bears home opener May 24 vs. Scarborough Shooting Stars at Canada Life Centre

Livestream & Video-On-Demand

Total CEBL+ viewership up 189% over 2023
Video-on-demand impressions up 159% over 2023
652% increase in CEBL+ subscribers in May 2024 compared to May 2023

NOTE : Viewership numbers from CEBL broadcast partners (TSN, TSN+, RDS, RDS.ca, Game+, Courtside 1891 & NLSE) will be available at a later date.

Social Media

2,717,089 impressions (113% higher than opening week in 2023)
4.5% engagement rate (3x higher than industry standard for sports leagues)
4.3% overall growth
67.1% net weekly audience growth (week-over-week)

Website

119,207 page views (31% higher than opening week in 2023)
68,896 unique visitors

More than 50 CEBL games will be broadcast live nationally on TSN and Game+ this season, with an additional eight games in French on RDS . Fans can also livestream all regular season, playoff and Championship Weekend games on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Next Level Sports & Entertainment – The U.S. Home for CEBL, will pick up 40 CEBL games for its U.S. audience in 2024, while international streaming service, Courtside1891 , will carry 27 games for subscribers outside of North America.

Ticket information for Vancouver Bandits home games can be found by visiting thebandits.ca/tickets .

Vancouver Bandits Unveil Special Edition Canada Day Jersey in Honour of Terry Fox

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 15:41:55 GMT

Limited edition jersey to be worn by the Bandits on July 1 in support of cancer research.

The Vancouver Bandits are proud to launch a special edition jersey featuring iconic imagery of Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope in celebration of his legacy. Proceeds from each jersey sold will be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation in support of cancer research across Canada.

The Bandits’ roster will wear the jersey at the club’s upcoming Canada Day match-up versus the Niagara River Lions, which tips off at 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET) on Monday, July 1, 2024, at Langley Events Centre. Tickets for the game are available for purchase and the game will be nationally televised on TSN.

The jersey is available in both adult and youth sizes now for pre-order at this link . A limited selection of replica jerseys will be available for sale at the Bandits’ Canada Day match-up, which is dedicated in Terry’s honour.

"Terry loved to compete in sports, and his favourite sport to play was basketball—he thought of himself as an average athlete and would often say he had to work harder than others to make the team," recalls Fred Fox , on behalf of Terry's family. "We are delighted to partner with the Vancouver Bandits on this special initiative and appreciate their support to help realize Terry's dream of a world without cancer."

Each jersey features the no. 4, which was the number worn by Terry during his season as a member of Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) junior varsity basketball team in 1977. Despite an eventual cancer diagnosis that required his right leg to be amputated, as well as chemotherapy and surgery, Fox continued to excel in sports. He joined Rick Hansen as a member of his wheelchair basketball team and eventually won three national titles with the team before embarking on his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980.

Terry’s Marathon of Hope spanned 143 days and 5,373 kilometres before he fell too ill to continue. He ran an average of 26 miles daily – equivalent to the distance of running a marathon each day of his mission across Canada. Today, his legacy lives through various fundraising initiatives and the annual Terry Fox Run across the country and beyond.

Fox’s running route spanning Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario is etched on the jersey, which also features his name and the no. 4 on the back of all replica jerseys available for fans to purchase.

The jersey features a black, red, and white colour scheme, as well as colour blocked side paneling inspired by the patterning of Terry’s 1970s jersey worn at SFU. His no. 4 jersey has since been retired by the university as well as the high school he attended.

“Written on each jersey are Terry’s words, ‘ Dreams are made possible if you try .’ Today, we continue to follow Terry’s lead by working together toward achieving his dream of a world without cancer. This jersey collaboration is a special tribute to the legacy of a remarkable hero that continues to inspire us daily,” says Bandits team president Dylan Kular . “I am incredibly proud of our organization and our team lead on this collaboration, Andrew Savory, who worked tirelessly to ensure our collaboration with the Fox family honours Terry’s legacy in the best way possible.”

More information on the Bandits’ current CEBL season and the club’s highly anticipated Canada Day game honouring Terry Fox can be found by clicking here .

Bandits meet Calgary Surge in Western Conference clash

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 15:52:36 GMT

The Calgary Surge and Vancouver Bandits will each look to build off recent victories when they tip off at 7 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. ET Friday night at the WinSport Event Centre in Calgary.

Live coverage of the game is available on CEBL+, TSN+, and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. It will also be televised on Game+ in Canada and NLSE in the United States.

The contest marks the second of three matchups in 2024 with the Bandits cruising to a 100-74 win over the Surge last Saturday in Vancouver. It’s also another re-match of the 2023 CEBL semifinals, where the Surge emerged with a 77-75 win.

Calgary hasn’t been able to replicate last season’s success quite yet. The reigning Western Conference Champions started the 2024 CEBL campaign at 0-3, before defeating the Saskatchewan Rattlers 102-85, Wednesday night, for their first win of the season.

Just two players from last year’s team have suited up for the Surge so far this season – Sean Miller-Moore and Justin Jackson. Miller-Moore, a 2023 CEBL All-Canadian honouree, has once again led the Surge.

The Thornhill, Ontario native ranks fourth in the league in scoring, averaging 20.8 points. He poured in a game-high 27 points (12-18 FG) Wednesday night, captaining Calgary to its first win of the season.

The Surge will need another big performance from Miller-Moore if they hope to build off Wednesday’s win.

Vancouver, meanwhile, has started the year strong and sit atop the standings with a 4-1 record.

The Bandits are averaging 92.4 points per game (third in the CEBL) and have one of the most balanced offences thus far, with four players averaging at least 15.0 points.

This is largely thanks to offseason addition Taze Moore, a 6-foot-5 guard who spent the majority of the 2023-24 NBA season with Portland’s G League affiliate, Rip City Remix. Moore has been a main facilitator in Vancouver’s offence early on this season and is averaging 7.0 assists, which ranks second in the CEBL.

Vancouver has also seen major contributions from other new signees Zach Copeland (19.4 ppg) and Koby McEwen (17.8 ppg), as well as returning Bandit Nick Ward (19.4 ppg).

Key matchup

A deciding factor in this western conference clash may come on the glass.

The Bandits rank third in the CEBL in rebounds (43.0 per game), while the Surge haul in just 34.5 per contest (eighth in the league).

Vancouver is also the league-leader in total offensive rebounds, having collected 62 this season. Forwards Nick Ward and James Karnik both rank top-five in the CEBL in total offensive rebounds and together have combined for 30 of Vancouver’s 62 on the year.

Calgary will look to Canadians Matt Grace and Mathieu Kamba to mitigate the Bandits’ presence on the glass. Grace collected a team-high eight rebounds in Wednesday’s win over Saskatchewan, while Kamba leads the Surge in rebounding (6.5 per game), despite standing at just 6-foot-5.

Milestone watch

Calgary’s Duvivier needs three three-pointers to reach 100 for his career, regular season only.
Vancouver’s McEwen needs eight three-point field goals to reach 100 for his career, regular season and playoffs.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits at Calgary (06/07/2024)

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 07:58:34 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on June 7, 2024

Vancouver Bandits Win Third Straight, Defeat Calgary Surge on the Road

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 07:54:14 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits continued their hot start to the 2024 CEBL season, defeating the Calgary Surge 70-65 Friday night at WinSport Event Centre.

Vancouver improved to 5-1 with the victory and retains sole possession of first place in the Western Conference standings.

The Bandits were led by Curtis Hollis who impressed in his CEBL debut. The Arlington, Tex., native signed with Vancouver earlier in the day and recorded 21 points (9-13 FG, 3-4 3PT), six rebounds and five steals in tonight’s win.

“It was amazing. I’ve been trying to get into this league for a few years now, so I was looking forward to the opportunity,” Hollis said postgame. “I got to show what I could do.”

Hollis was a welcome addition for the Bandits who were without standout guard Tazé Moore. Moore was away from the team for tonight’s contest after earning NBA off-season workouts with Milwaukee, Atlanta and Portland.

Looking to capitalize on Moore’s absence and avenge a 26-point loss at the hands of the Bandits last Saturday, the Surge began the game with defensive intensity.

Calgary entered tonight’s contest having given up the most points per game this season, with teams averaging 96.5 points against the Surge. Despite this, Calgary held Vancouver scoreless on the first seven possessions, until a layup from Koby McEwen at the 6:06 mark broke the Bandits’ scoring drought.

Malcolm Duvivier was the sparkplug for the Surge defence. The Toronto, Ont. native competed hard against his former team who he had played the previous four seasons with (2020-23) prior to signing with Calgary this offseason.

The Bandits eventually found their rhythm thanks to Hollis who scored 11 of Vancouver’s first 18 points, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the field (including three three-point field goals).

“It’s a testament to the season I just had. I played really well so I’m kind of used to coming in and scoring and doing what I have to do for the team,” said Hollis. “It was my teammates finding me in the right spots and I was just making shots.”

Both squads continued to compete hard into the second quarter. Scrappy play and a fast pace dominated the first half which resulted in a combined 25 turnovers between the two opponents.

The contest was a back-and-forth affair consisting of 10 lead changes in the first two quarters but the Bandits held a 33-32 halftime advantage in this defensive battle.

“I thought it was a rough first half for us, but defensively we were really good,” said Bandits head coach Kyle Julius. “(At halftime) we just talked about continuing to focus on defence.”

Vancouver opened the second half on a 12-0 run led by strong post play from Nick Ward. The 6-foot-9 forward scored eight of Vancouver’s first 12 points in the third quarter as the Bandits opened up a 13-point lead, their largest of the game.

Ward finished with 13 points and five rebounds in 21 minutes. He was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter for leaving the bench during an on-court altercation.

That moment seemed to be a turning point for the Surge who capitalized on Ward’s absence. Calgary made a late run to cut Vancouver’s lead to five points (67-62) before ultimately falling to its west coast rival.

Calgary sits at just 1-4 on the year, but is still in the midst of shifting lineups. The Surge announced three signings on Friday (Jordy Tshimanga, Trhae Mitchell and Yvan Ouedraogo) and are also awaiting the return of guard Stefan Smith.

“I think for us it’s just getting to know each other and knowing how to building each other up,” said Surge head coach Tyrell Vernon. “We have to do whatever it takes to win every possession.”

Vancouver’s next home game at LEC is on Thursday, June 13 when the Bandits welcome the Winnipeg Sea Bears for a 7:30 p.m. PT tip-off that will be nationally televised on TSN.

Bandits Rally to 93-90 Win and Snap Stingers Undefeated Start

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 05:14:30 GMT

Nick Ward and James Karnik’s double-doubles led the Vancouver Bandits (4-1) back from a 12-point deficit on Tuesday to beat the Stingers 93-90 and hand Edmonton (4-1) its first loss of the season.

The forward duo accounted for 40 per cent of the Bandits’ scoring production and over 50 per cent of their boards as Ward finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Karnik added 16 points and 13 rebounds of his own.

“Anybody can get beat any given day,” Ward said when asked if his team was thinking about the fact Edmonton was undefeated entering the game. “We fought back.”

Vancouver got plenty of solid contributions on the night, however, as Koby McEwen also dropped 21 points while Tazé Moore chipped in with 14 and eight assists.

On the other side, Edmonton was led by Davion Warren’s game-high 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field to go with three triples. He was joined by Ben Krikke who added 15 points off the bench and Elijah Miller’s 13 points on 66 per cent shooting.

“We stay even keel in a win or a loss,” said Stingers head coach Jordan Baker after the game. “We’re still the same group of guys … we’re sticking together and making sure we play the right way next time.”

It took until the 1:20 mark of the third quarter for the Bandits to see their first lead since it was 5-4 in the first two minutes of the ball game.

Vancouver began their rally in the second, needing to overcome an opening frame that saw them shoot just 27 per cent from the field and make five total shots.

What initially sparked their comeback was the poise of McEwen and Moore who caught fire. The duo hit seven of the Bandits eight triples in the quarter as they spearheaded an 11-2 run.

“It saved us a little bit,” McEwen said postgame reflecting on his and Moore’s outburst in the second quarter. “It kept us in there … and we got it within striking distance.”

All 13 of McEwen’s first half points came in the frame while Moore chipped in with nine of his own.

Their effort – capped off by a Ward and-one with less than 30 seconds to go – would’ve had the game knotted up 48-48 going into halftime, had it not been for Mindaugas Kacinas hitting a triple moments before the buzzer.

Edmonton made it clear they weren’t going to let their four-game win streak be snapped without a fight. Despite giving up their edge in the third quarter, the Stingers finished the frame on a 6-0 run to recapture the lead and go into the final frame up 71-67.

Yet again, when they needed it most, the Bandits found a response. And this time it came courtesy of another duo.

Zach Copeland, the league’s fifth leading scorer (20.5 points per game) was held to just two points in the first half, yet he exploded for 10 points in the fourth quarter and hit a triple that put Vancouver up 83-80 heading into Target Score Time.

Meanwhile, Karnik scored nine points in the frame, capping off the clutch fourth quarter by throwing down a game-winning dunk.

“It’s a reflection of the whole group,” said Julius after the game on Copeland and Karnik’s leadership down the stretch. “We trust each other, we’ve had different guys make big plays on different nights.”

With the win, the Bandits not only snap the Stingers perfect 4-0 start to the season, but they now jump into a tie for first place in the Western Conference.

“We need to stay locked in the whole game,” Warren said postgame reflecting on the loss and what needs to be different next time these teams face off. “They didn’t do anything special, we beat ourselves.”

T he Bandits continue their Alberta road trip as they visit the Calgary Surge on Friday for a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference Final.

Bandits on the Road to Face the Undefeated Stingers

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 18:57:54 GMT

The Edmonton Stingers (4-0) put their perfect start on the line when they host the Vancouver Bandits (3-1) at Edmonton EXPO Centre on Tuesday night.

Live coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. local / 9:00 p.m. ET, televised on Game+, with streaming available on CEBL+, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

It’s been a picturesque opening two weeks for Edmonton ahead of their first of three matchups against Vancouver. They’re the lone undefeated team remaining in the CEBL and sitting pretty atop the Western Conference. And although it’s still a ways away from their franchise-best 7-0 start to the 2021 season, the Stingers have been handily taking care of business.

The league’s fourth-best offence (91.3 points per game) and second-best defence (79.3 points against) is what Edmonton brings to the table as their four wins have come by an average margin of 11.5 points.

In their most recent victory against the previously 3-0 Saskatchewan Rattlers, the Stingers won by 16 points. It wasn’t a spectacular offensive performance as Edmonton shot 41 per cent from the field and 33 per cent from beyond the arc, but their defence did the heavy lifting.

Saskatchewan was held to a season-low 77 points – the first time they scored less than 94 points this year – on 36 per cent shooting from the field. The Stingers also forced the Rattlers into 16 turnovers, double their own number of giveaways, which earned Edmonton 10 extra points for the effort.

On the other side, Vancouver may not be undefeated but they’re not far off, just one game behind and in a tie for second place in the West.

The Bandits are coming off a convincing 100-74 win over the Calgary Surge, bouncing back after the Rattlers snapped their 2-0 start. It was a balanced offensive effort for Vancouver, hitting triple-digit scoring for the time this season, shooting 56 per cent from the field while drilling a season-high 12 threes on a 42 per cent clip.

Zach Copeland was noticeably instrumental in the victory as he exploded for a season high 28 points on 52 per cent shooting and six made triples. The offensive outburst has the import guard up to fifth on the CEBL’s scoring leaderboard, averaging 20.8 points per game.

Meanwhile, Tazé Moore returned to the Bandits lineup after missing their loss against the Rattlers due to illness and his impact couldn’t be overstated. Moore finished with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting to go with 11 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and two blocks, proving why Vancouver is undefeated this season with him in action.

Keys to victory

Points in the paint: Through the first two weeks of the 2024 season both teams have made it evident that they excel at scoring close to the basket. Edmonton is first in two-point makes (24.8) and third in percentage (52.9) while Vancouver is third in makes (22.5) and second in percentage (53.6), respectively.

Expect both squads to make it a priority to test each other’s interior defence and rim protection – and don’t be surprised if the team that wins that battle also comes out victorious. Last season through three games between the Bandits and Stingers, whichever team scored more points in the paint ended up winning.

Ball security: It’ll be interesting to see if the Stingers aggressive defence or the Bandits disciplined offence prevails on Tuesday night. Edmonton enters the contest leading the CEBL with 10.5 steals a game in contrast to Vancouver who averages 14 turnovers, the fourth fewest.

So, both teams excel in their own way. The Stingers find way to force mistakes while the Bandits do their best to minimize them. Meaning, whichever team wins the turnover margin is likely to set themselves up for a positive outcome.

2023 season series

Vancouver got the best of Edmonton last year, winning two of their three regular season matchups.

The Stingers – not known for elite rim protection – unsurprisingly struggled against forward Nick Ward in their two losses. The big man averaged 20.5 points on 68 per cent shooting to go with nine rebounds through the Bandits victories, compared to eight points and four turnovers in their lone loss.

For what it’s worth, Ward played just 13 minutes in that singular defeat to Edmonton. If the Bandits wants to put an end to the Stingers undefeated start, keeping their 2023 team MVP on the floor will likely help make it possible.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits at Edmonton (06/04/2024)

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 16:29:58 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Edmonton Stingers on June 4, 2024.

Bandits Bounce Back at Home Against Calgary Surge

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 07:21:36 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C. , June 1, 2024 – While no one wants to lose, a defeat can be a valuable tool.

Coming off their first loss of the Canadian Elite Basketball League season – a 98-86 setback in Saskatoon to the Rattlers on May 30 in a battle of unbeaten teams – Vancouver Bandits’ Kyle Julius was curious to what his team’s response would be.

“We were all disappointed in (Saskatchewan). We didn’t play well, we were lethargic (and) I thought Sask played great, punched us in the mouth,” said the Bandits head coach and general manager.

“You want to see how everyone responds and I thought they responded with toughness and energy.”

Vancouver was hosting the Calgary Surge on Saturday at Langley Events Centre (LEC) as the Bandits hosted their first-ever South Asian Heritage Game, wearing specially-themed jerseys.

And following a close first quarter – the Bandits led 28-25 after 10 minutes – Vancouver locked down defensively, holding the Surge to 49 points the rest of the way in a one-sided 100-74 victory to improve to 3-1.

Zach Copeland came out determined, hitting his first four 3-point attempts, and scoring 16 in the first quarter alone, while finishing with 28. He was averaging 18.3 points per game entering the contest.

“We were very disappointed in how we came out last game. That was the biggest emphasis for this game: set the tone and bring the energy,” Copeland said. “I was just ready to go. I wanted to set the tone and was just locked in.”

Vancouver stretched the lead to a dozen points at the half and after Calgary scored five quick points to open the third quarter, the Bandits used a quick timeout and came out of the huddle and re-established a double-digit lead which they held the rest of the way.

A big change from the first half to the second was Vancouver cutting back on Calgary’s offensive rebounds. The Surge finished with nine offensive rebounds and 28 total, while Vancouver had 13 and 44, respectively.

The Bandits also had the superior shooting night as they were 54.9 per cent from the field and 42.9 per cent from downtown. Both were season highs.

“I was waiting for a 3-point percentage like this because that is what our guys are capable of,” Julius said. “We shot the ball well, offensively we had some good spacing and flow, but I feel we won the game defensively.

Tazé Moore – who missed the team’s last game with illness – had a near triple double, finishing with 16 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. He also had three steals and a pair of blocked shots. Nick Ward added 18 points while Koby McEwen and James Karnik each had 11 with all five Bandits starters finishing in double figures.

Sean Miller-Moore led Calgary with 21 points with Corey David Jr. and Justin Lewis adding 15 and 14 points, respectively.

The Surge – who lost in the CEBL championship final game last summer – fell to 0-3.

Coach Tyrell Vernon said his team struggled with their transition defence, and if they can fix that area of their game, it should help their offence, which has failed to crack the 80-point plateau in two of their three games.

“It’s a quick turnaround. We have to watch the film and own our mistakes,” Vernon said. “Everyone just has to be accountable for what happened.”

Up next for the Bandits is a trip to Alberta where they face the Edmonton Stingers on Tuesday, June 4 before a rematch with the Surge, this time in Calgary on Friday, June 7.

Vancouver’s next home game at LEC is on Thursday, June 13 when the Bandits welcome the Winnipeg Sea Bears for a 7:30 p.m. PT tip-off that will be nationally televised on TSN.

Tickets are on sale now at this link .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Calgary (06/01/2024)

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 17:50:10 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on June 1, 2024.

Bandits’ perfect home record on the line as they host Surge on Saturday night

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 15:41:48 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits look to improve to 3-0 at home when they host the winless Calgary Surge on Saturday.

The game begins at 7:30 p.m. CT / 10:30 p.m. ET at the Langley Events Centre, with live coverage available on CEBL+, TSN+, and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

The Surge are coming off a 104-97 loss at the hands of the Scarborough Shooting Stars on Wednesday. Despite the loss, all five Calgary starters scored in double digits. Sean Miller-Moore led the scoring for Calgary with 20 points on 50 per cent shooting, five assists, and three rebounds.

Another bright spot in the Surge loss to the Shooting Stars was an impressive rebounding display, posting a 42-28 advantage.

Vancouver is also hungry to get back into the win column after suffering a 98-86 road loss Thursday to the Saskatchewan Rattlers. The Bandits return home where they are 2-0 so far this season.

In the loss to the Rattlers, Nick Ward and Zach Copeland combined for 49 points for the Bandits. Copeland scored 26 points, knocked down six threes, and grabbed four rebounds. Ward made his impact by scoring 23 points on 63 per cent shooting and snagging 15 rebounds.

A key matchup to look out for

Fans should keep their eyes out for the battle of exciting guards Sean Miller-Moore and Koby McEwen.

Vancouver’s McEwen is coming into the game averaging 19.0 points per game, 6.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists. As for Miller-Moore, he is currently averaging 17.5 points per game, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.

Both of these players have the ability to stretch the floor, create a shot off the dribble, and push the pace in transition.

2023 Season Series

The teams faced off against each other four times in the 2023 CEBL season. The Bandits won the first two regular season matchups before the Surge claimed the last regular season game and posted a 77-75 win over Vancouver in the Conference Final at 2023 Championship Weekend.

Vancouver Bandits Fall Short on the Road in Saskatoon

Fri, 31 May 2024 14:49:48 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (2-1) suffered the club’s first loss of the season 98-86 in a loss against the now undefeated Saskatchewan Rattlers (3-0) on Thursday night.

It’s the first time in franchise history the Rattlers have opened a campaign with three consecutive wins and they did it by outshooting Vancouver from two-point range and beyond the three-point arc.

Jalen Harris led the way with 27 points, going an even 4-for-8 from the field and deep, while racking up six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. The game-high scoring output also put the guard in an elite group as a 500-point scorer in the CEBL (regular season and playoffs).

He was aided by the trio of Elijah Harkless, Maurice Calloo and Grant Basile who each scored 19 points.

On the other side, Vancouver finished with only three double-digit scorers in what ended up as their first loss of the season. They were spearheaded by Zach Copeland’s 26 points, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter, and a pair of double-doubles by Nick Ward (23 points, 15 rebounds) and Koby McEwen (18 points, 10 rebounds).

The first quarter of this game personified the old adage: “Basketball is a game of runs.”

Saskatchewan threw the first punch, opening the game on a 12-3 run that forced Vancouver to call a timeout less than three minutes in. The burst was thanks to a 5-for-5 start from the field for Saskatchewan, as well as Vancouver adapting to the loss of Tazé Moore, who was a late-game scratch due to an illness.

The team’s second-leading scorer (17.5 points per game) and minutes per game leader (35.8) was removed from Vancouver’s lineup during warmups due to illness and it was clear the team was affected by it early on.

“It was a little bit unexpected,” said Bandits head coach Kyle Julius postgame on Moore being taken out of the lineup last minute. “But it’s not an excuse or issue, the guys that played were ready to go and that’s all that mattered.”

Fortunately for Vancouver they responded with an 11-2 run that cut the deficit down to 16-14 midway through the frame. Unfortunately for Vancouver, Harris decided he was going to take over and hit three consecutive threes in the final three minutes of the first quarter, spearheading a 13-2 run that put the Rattlers up 13 points.

“They were trying to pressure me (at the basket),” said Harris reflecting on his first quarter outburst. “They clogged the paint and weren’t letting me get downhill, so I reacted to what was open.”

Come the second quarter, Saskatchewan’s lead continued to balloon as everything clicked offensively. The Rattlers, despite ranking last in the league in two-point percentage, made 62 per cent of their looks inside the arc while also hitting nine threes on a 50 per cent clip.

Harris led the way, scoring a game-high 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting through the first half while Calloo and Basile chipped in with 11 points apiece. The trio combined to outscore Vancouver’s entire starting lineup through the first half as Saskatchewan carved out a 19-point lead.

The Bandits did themselves no favours either as they had arguably their worst offensive half of the season, shooting 30 per cent from the field and 25 per cent from deep.

“I wouldn’t say their defence made anything difficult, we just missed shots,” Ward said post game on his team’s offensive struggles. “We missed easy shots and sometimes we have days like that.”

Very little improved for Vancouver coming out of the break as Saskatchewan’s Elijah Harkless decided it was his turn to get going. The import guard scored eight points in the frame, capping things off with a thundering buzzer-beating dunk that not only rocked the Rattlers bench but also helped maintain their 19-point lead going into the fourth quarter.

“I’m not going to lie, he caught me off guard,” Harris said with a smile on his reaction to Harkless’ highlight jam. “He shot the last one like a floater and missed it long, so I was crashing the glass thinking he’d shoot the same thing, but he went and dunked it and it left me speechless.”

Despite facing a near-20-point deficit, the Bandits did have hope considering they entered Thursday off a win against the Scarborough Shooting Stars in which they trailed by 13 points late in the third. That comeback was sparked by an increased defensive presence in the paint, eliminating high quality looks and the strong play of James Karnik who scored 14 points in the quarter last Sunday.

And although the B.C. native’s heroics weren’t present in this one, as Karnik fouled out in the fourth quarter with just two points, the Bandits were able to cut the deficit down to 13 points heading into Target Score time, and down all the way to nine points before the game was over.

This time their comeback effort was courtesy of Copeland who scored 10 points in Target Score, hitting a three that made it a single-digit ball game for the first time since the 2:52 mark of the first quarter.

“It got better at times,” said Julius on Vancouver’s late push. “I don’t think we were executing defensively the way we wanted to the whole game, so we’ll have to go back and make some corrections.”

The Bandits’ rally didn’t get any further however as they weren’t able to chain together any more stops before Harkless drilled a deep triple to end the ball game.

After tonight’s tilt, Vancouver returns to Langley Events Centre (LEC) for a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Final against the Calgary Surge on Saturday, June 1.

Tip-off for Saturday’s South Asian Heritage Theme Game is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at this link .

A pre-game by performance by Sharry Mann starts at 7 p.m. and admission to the concert is included with the price of a Bandits game ticket for Saturday’s event at LEC.

Bandits, Rattlers Put Undefeated Records on the Line

Thu, 30 May 2024 18:41:40 GMT

In a battle atop the Western Conference, the Vancouver Bandits (2-0) visit the Saskatchewan Rattlers (2-0) on Thursday night with stakes heightened as one of them will lose their undefeated start.

All the action will take place at 7:30 p.m. local/9:30 p.m. ET from the SaskTel Centre, with live coverage available on CEBL+, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.

What a difference a year can make. At the end of 2023, the Bandits and Rattlers were also duking things out but at the bottom of the West instead of the top with dueling 8-12 records. Yet fast forward through the first week of this season and into the first of three matchups between the conference rivals, both squads are leading the conference, have yet to lose and are in the midst of two of the best stretches to start a year.

Saskatchewan is already in uncharted territory as they’ve never opened a season 2-0 while Vancouver is halfway to their record of four consecutive wins to begin the 2021 campaign.

The Rattlers and Bandits have gotten to this point in similar fashion as well. Both picked up convincing season-opening wins and then rallied in their follow up performances to start their first win streaks of 2024.

Saskatchewan enters Thursday on the heels of a 96-90 victory over the Montréal Alliance in which the squad had to overcome a 23-point deficit. That comeback effort last Saturday can be largely credited to Jalen Harris and Grant Basile who scored 31 and 27 points, respectively. The duo accounted for more than 60 per cent of the Rattlers baskets and over half of their 13 triples on the night.

Harris was notably instrumental as he scored 19 points in the third quarter to spark Saskatchewan’s initial rally and capped things off by hitting the game-winning layup in Target Score Time.

On the other side, Vancouver overcame a 13-point third quarter margin against the Scarborough Shooting Stars on Sunday. And although the Bandits effort involved a more balanced attack with all five starters hitting double figures, four of which scored 17 or more points, they too had a standout performance spark their comeback.

James Karnik scored Vancouver’s first 10 points of the fourth quarter, with 14 of his 18 points on the night coming in the final frame, including the game-winning layup. It was the Surrey B.C. native’s second game back after missing all of last year due to injury and so far, he’s had a strong start to his comeback campaign. Karnik is nearly averaging a double-double, putting up 13.5 points and nine rebounds through two games.

Keys matchup

Fans in attendance and watching from home are going to be treated to a stellar guard matchup between two CEBL experienced guards as Koby McEwen and Jalen Harris go head-to-head. Both are in their first year with new squads and have immediately made their presence felt as their teams’ scoring leaders.

McEwen is averaging 19.5 points on a CEBL career-high 53 per cent shooting from beyond the arc to go with his five rebounds and one steal through two games. Meanwhile, Harris is averaging a staggering 27 points per game, third highest in the league so far.

The pair also have plenty of history, dueling as Eastern Conference rivals throughout the last two seasons with Brampton and Scarborough, respectively. They even faced off on opposite sides of the 2022 Championship Final with McEwen coming out on top. The former Sixth Man of the Year scored 16 points off the bench and was vital in Target Score Time scoring five of the Honey Badgers’ nine points to capture a title. Harris, on the other hand, had one of his quietest outings as he finished with 12 points, his third lowest all year, and a season-high eight turnovers.

2023 season series

Saskatchewan had the edge over Vancouver last season winning two of the three regular season matchups, doing so in convincing fashion as they won both contests by over 20 points.

Take that with a grain of salt however as the Bandits didn’t have the services of their leading scorer Nick Ward in either of those losses. In Vancouver’s lone win, the big man put up 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting to go with nine rebounds. And with all indications that Ward will play on Sunday, expect him to be just as impactful. So far this season, the 2023 team MVP is averaging 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds with a steal and two blocks through two games.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits at Saskatchewan (05/30/2024)

Thu, 30 May 2024 18:01:24 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on May 30, 2024.

Vancouver Bandits & Connect FM Partner to Broadcast First-Ever Canadian Elite Basketball Game in Punjabi

Wed, 29 May 2024 17:55:06 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday in partnership with Connect FM that both organizations have joined forces to produce the first-ever Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) game broadcast in Punjabi as part of the Bandits’ South Asian Heritage Game on Saturday, June 1 at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

Broadcasting to radio listeners across the province and throughout the Lower Mainland, Connect FM is available to listeners at FM 91.5, HD2 91.5 and also online for mobile and desktop listeners at connectfm.ca

“We are excited to align with the Vancouver Bandits as part of the club’s highly anticipated South Asian Heritage Game,” said Tejinder Singh, director of strategy and operations at Connect FM, which also features radio affiliates in Edmonton (FM 101.7), Calgary (HD2 88.1).

“Basketball is an extremely popular sport to families of South Asian heritage throughout the province and we have a duty as a community radio station to ensure that listeners from different cultures and those who speak different languages–like Punjabi–have an opportunity to listen to the great and professional level of basketball that is played at Langley Events Centre.”

Delivering insights and commentary on Bandits Basketball to listeners are Jagraj Lalli and Jarman Chahal, who together bring experience from Hockey Night In Canada: Punjabi Edition, the BCEHL as well as several broadcasting stints with various leagues and community events throughout the Lower Mainland region.

“I am honoured and blessed to be a part of such a historic evening for the Bandits Basketball brand and Connect FM. There is no better way that I can represent and honour not just my culture, but my family who raised me into the person I am today,” said Lalli, who will serve as the play-by-play commentator for Saturday’s game.

“I am really excited about this broadcasting project as it will help Punjabi audiences connect with basketball on a different level where they will experience this exciting sport through their own language,” added Chahal, who will bring analysis on players to listeners as the game’s broadcast analyst.

The CEBL sixth season started earlier this May and has already seen record-breaking crowds in various venues across the league, which features 10 teams across six provinces ranging as far east as Montréal to Vancouver as the league’s westernmost team.

Vancouver is off to a hot start this season; defeating the Montréal Alliance on May 23 by 20 points and the defending league champions, the Scarborough Shooting Stars, on May 26.

“The goal of Bandits Basketball since day one was to create an inclusive environment for fans in-venue, as well as audiences watching at home or while in transit through our different broadcast channels. Collaborating with Connect FM to host the league’s first-ever game broadcast in Punjabi is an important step toward honouring our mandate of ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy elite professional basketball,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

Tip-off for Saturday’s South Asian Heritage Game is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at this link .

A pre-game by performance by Sharry Mann starts at 7 p.m. and admission to the concert is included with the price of a Bandits game ticket for Saturday’s event at LEC.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Scarborough (05/26/2024)

Mon, 27 May 2024 22:23:54 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Scarborough Shooting Stars on May 26, 2024.

Vancouver Bandits Beat Defending Champions Scarborough to Improve to 2-0

Mon, 27 May 2024 07:33:09 GMT

Quality over quantity: that was definitely the case for Kur Jongkuch.

Of all the players who saw game action for the Vancouver Bandits on Sunday afternoon, no one played less than Jongkuch, who was on the floor for just over five minutes of action. But despite the limited minutes, there was no denying that the 6-foot-9 forward left his mark.

Trailing by 13 points in the fourth quarter, Jongkuch came up with three blocked shots – two of them on the same possession – with Koby McEwen and Zach Copeland drilling 3-pointers on the subsequent offensive possessions.

And those plays were pivotal as the Bandits rallied for the 88-83 victory over the visiting Scarborough Shooting Stars at Langley Events Centre. The win improved Vancouver to 2-0 while the defending Canadian Elite Basketball League champion Shooting Stars fell to 0-2.

“One possession can change a game; one possession can change your season,” said Vancouver head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, on the motto his coaching staff has been preaching to the players. “And Kur really demonstrated that in his minutes today. He really sparked us.”

Vancouver now prepares for a road tilt versus Saskatchewan on Thursday, May 30 (6:30 p.m. PT tip-off). After the quick road trip, the Bandits welcome the Calgary Surge to Langley Events Centre for a big rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals as part of its South Asian Heritage Game on Saturday, June 1 at Langley Events Centre.

Tip-off for this Saturday’s game is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at this link .

By the time the third quarter wrapped up, the Bandits had cut the deficit to two points, setting up a fourth quarter where there were three lead changes and another three times the score was tied, including when the game was knotted at 79 heading into Target Score. Vancouver outscored the Shooting Stars 9-4 during the Target Score period for a second straight win to open the season.

And while Thursday’s season opener saw the team lead for all but 2:37 of the game, Sunday’s victory required the team to withstand a potent long-distance attack from the Shooting Stars, who were good on 16 of their 37 3-point attempts, connecting on 43.2 percent of their attempts.

Bandits point guard Tazé Moore said the team was focused on just one play at a time.

“Can’t hit a home run too fast. You need base hits and once you get there, you get there,” he said following his team-high 19 points. Moore also added eight rebounds and seven assists and two blocked shots.

As a team, Vancouver finished with 14 blocked shots, including those game-altering three swats from Jongkuch, which didn’t surprise Moore.

“It was big time. He always comes in; even during practice, he comes in and does the little stuff,” Moore said. “Tonight, that was just him doing his everyday work.”

Nick Ward also had 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots, but left the game early in the fourth quarter and did not return. But James Karnik stepped up to score 14 of his 18 points after that, including stealing the ball for the lay-in for the winning points. Karnik finished with 18 points and a team-high nine rebounds to go along with four blocked shots.

It marked the second straight game the 6-foot-9 forward has been solid down the stretch.

“If you watch the film, both sides of the ball, his effort, energy and execution were through the roof,” Julius said.

All five Vancouver starters finished in double figures as McEwen chipped in with 17 while Copeland had 10 points to go along with nine assists and eight rebounds.

For Scarborough, Jackson Rowe (20 points, 10 rebounds) had a double-double while Tevian Jones chipped in with 16.

Shooting Stars coach Devan Blair liked his team’s first half – they were up 49-44 – but his team did not adapt when the Bandits ratcheted up the pressure.

“It should be really tough to lose a game when you shoot 43 percent from three and hit 16 of them,” he said, adding he felt there were some open looks his team passed up. “We know we can play the way we want to, but we can’t just do it for four-minute spurts, we have to be able to sustain it for the entire game.”

“When we got downhill, they did a pretty good job of coming over and getting a hand on it. They have a lot of big athletic guys, but we have to do a better job finishing through contact.”

Up next for the Bandits is their first road contest of the season as they travel to Saskatchewan to face the 2-0 Rattlers before returning to LEC on Saturday, June 1st.

Bandits host Shooting Stars in Season’s First West Coast Matinee

Sun, 26 May 2024 17:48:02 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (1-0) welcome the Shooting Stars (0-1) to the Langley Events Centre on Sunday – the site of Scarborough’s first title last season – with action set for 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. local.

Fans can stream the action live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+, Courtside 1891 (outside of North America) and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. The game will also be available on Game+ in Canada and NLSE in the United States.

It’ll be the first of two matchups between Vancouver and Scarborough this season, their next contest not taking place until the end of June. Between now and then, there’ll be plenty to figure out for both squads, but what we do know is they are coming off very different season-opening outcomes.

Vancouver enters Sunday on the heels of an impressive 20-point victory over the Montréal Alliance that saw their offseason additions propel them to the lop-sided win. Koby McEwen, who spent the last two seasons as a Brampton Honey Badger, led the way with 22 points, six rebounds and four assists. Meanwhile, import acquisitions Zach Copeland and Tazé Moore chipped in with 19 and 17 points, respectively, in their CEBL debuts.

Meanwhile, Scarborough makes their way into the matinee off the emotional letdown of a 109-106 loss to the Winnipeg Sea Bears in a game they let slip away. Not only did the Shooting Stars convert better from the field, three-point distance and the free throw line on Friday, they had two opportunities to secure the win from the charity stripe.

Jackson Rowe, who put up 17 points and 10 rebounds in his debut for the Shooting Stars, got fouled needing to sink just one free throw for the victory and went on to miss both. Winnipeg went on to grab Rowe’s second miss and drill a game-winning triple.

Despite getting solid performances from multiple debutants like Tevian Jones who finished a team-high 18 points and nine rebounds, Kadre Gray who added 17 points off the bench or Shamar Givance who chipped in with a near-double-double of 10 points and nine assists, the Shooting Stars ultimately started their title-defence season with a heartbreaking loss.

By the Numbers

Turnovers: It wasn’t just Scarborough’s late game execution that cost them it was their multiple unforced errors that kept the game closer than it needed to be. The defending champs turned the ball over 14 times, eight more than the Sea Bears and gave up 17 costly points off those freebies.

Three-point shooting: Both teams made it clear through their opening games that they like to shoot from beyond-the-arc as two of the three teams to attempt make 10-or-more threes through one game played and attempt over 30. As far as efficiency goes, Scarborough holds the edge with 15 makes (the most by a team a single game this season) on a league leading 38.5 per cent clip.

Key matchup

Both squads have the talent and depth on the perimeter to keep up with each other, which is why the real X-factor matchup will be a battle in the paint between Nick Ward and Hason Ward (no relation).

Nick is a known commodity in the CEBL, a 2021 All-CEBL first team member and one of the most productive offensive bigs the league has to offer. In Vancouver’s win against Montréal, the American may not have been a focal point as they acclimated the new guys, but he still finished with an impressive 17 points on 55 per cent shooting, six rebounds and a block.

Meanwhile, Hason was equally impactful in his debut. His 12 points may not match up to Nick’s offensive production, but the 23-year-old still went 6-for-7 from the field while imposing his will on defence. Not only did Hason rack up seven blocks, tying the second-most in a single game all-time, he limited former first round NBA draft pick Byron Mullens to seven points on 1-for-8 shooting.

A battle between offensive hub Nick and defensive anchor Hason is one fans will surely want to keep their eyes on.

2023 season series

:The cross-conference opponents matched up just once last season, with the Bandits playing spoiler to the eventual champions, beating the Shooting Stars 82-79. Ward was instrumental in the victory, leading all players with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

Vancouver Bandits Ride Hot Start to Defeat Montreal at Home Opener

Fri, 24 May 2024 07:04:58 GMT

A hot-shooting first half set the tone early as the Vancouver Bandits delivered a dominant season-opening victory.

Opening the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at home on Thursday opening at Langley Events Centre (LEC), the Bandits were 95-75 winners over the visiting Montréal Alliance.

Up next for the Bandits is another home game as they welcome the defending CEBL champion Scarborough Shooting Stars to Langley Events Centre on May 26 at 4:00pm.

Tickets for Sunday’s game are available at this link.

The Vancouver Bandits shot a scorching 56.3 per cent from the field – including 8-for-17 from beyond the arc in that first to lead by as many as 20 points. The Alliance would get it down to single digits in the third quarter before Vancouver closed it out.

“I would say the first half surprised me,” admitted coach Kyle Julius. “For having three days of practice – I think we only did maybe 20 minutes of 5-on-5 contact, we just walked through everything. But in those 20 minutes that we had together on Monday night, I knew this group was going to jell. I could just feel it.”

Koby McEwen led all scorers with 22 points – including hitting five of his eight 3-point attempts – while Zach Copeland chipped in with 19. And combined with 17 points apiece from Tazé Moore and Nick Ward, the Bandits offensive depth was too much for the Alliance.

“That is how we built it: we want to be able to play two different styles, inside and out and we have the guys to do it,” Julius said, referencing his three-headed guard attack of McEwen, Copeland and Moore, combined with the inside game of Ward (six rebounds) and James Karnik (nine points, nine rebounds).

Ward’s sixth and final rebound of the game came during Target Time as he followed up his own miss with a putback for the game’s final points.

By comparison, Montreal had just two players in double figures: 18 points from Chris Smith and a dozen from Ahmed Hill.

“I think everyone is going to have their time to shine. When people are scouting us, they are not going to know which way to go,” Karnik said about the challenges teams will face when defending the Bandits.

The Alliance did manage to cut the deficit to six points early in the fourth quarter.

“We got stagnant in the third quarter and early in the fourth,” Julius said, adding he would have liked to have seen more ball movement during that 11-minute stretch.

For a young Montréal squad, the game was a learning experience.

“I think when we followed our game plan, the takeaway was that we can be solid defensively and make them take tough shots,” said Alliance coach Ryan Thorne. “There were some times when they hit some really tough buckets, we did all we could and forced a tough shot and they made it, so hats off to Vancouver.”

Montréal’s next game is Saturday, May 25 versus Saskatchewan.

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Montréal (05/23/2024)

Thu, 23 May 2024 22:21:47 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Montréal Alliance on May 23, 2024

Bandits host Alliance in Season’s First Cross-Conference Clash

Thu, 23 May 2024 17:03:13 GMT

Cross-conference bragging rights will be on the line Thursday night when the Montréal Alliance take on the Vancouver Bandits in the first East vs. West showdown of the CEBL season.

Action tips off from Langley Events Centre at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. local with live coverage available on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. It will also be televised nationally on Game+ outside North America and available on NLSE in the United States.

As teams in opposite conferences and opposite ends of Canada, there’s little history between the two franchises. They’ve matched up just three times prior to Thursday, and it was the Alliance that came out victorious in their lone contest last season, winning by a narrow five-point margin. That one game may not hold much stock however as both teams enter 2024 with revamped rosters and a lot to prove.

Montréal, for instance, is this season’s host city for Championship Weekend and although that means an automatic spot in the Eastern Conference Finals, it also brings a weight of expectations. Entering the postseason one game shy of a title shot is an exciting prospect for the Alliance considering they’ve never even qualified for a postseason berth before this season. Yet opponents out East may not mind Montréal standing in their way if the team can’t improve from their league-worst 7-13 record from a season ago.

Last year the Alliance were rolling out a bottom-two offence (82 points per game) and bottom-three defence (87.6 points against) on a nightly basis. So, if they don’t want to be viewed as easy pickings by the rest of the East, they’ll have to show they’ve gotten better. And to their credit, Montréal has made moves in the offseason to try and do just that.

Starting by adding a pair of import forwards, Jordan Bowen and Chris Smith, to inject some scoring. Bowen was a standout at Tennessee scoring over 1,300 points for the Volunteers throughout his collegiate career and brings four years of NBA G League experience. Meanwhile, Smith brings three years of his own G League experience after a successful NCAA career with UCLA that likely would’ve gotten him drafted into the NBA had his final season not been cut short by injury.

Both Americans will likely slot into the starting lineup and take some of the scoring load off Ahmed Hill, the team’s leading scorer in 2023 (20.4 points per game). The All-CEBL second team member carried most of the offensive burden on his shoulders for the Alliance, and that made things much easier for opponents to scout and defend. Although Hill was third in the league for scoring last season, he’ll surely sacrifice some of his points this year if it means the team can threaten defences with a more balanced attack.

Returning to the backcourt with Hill will likely be Alain Louis. The 2022 second overall pick in the CEBL U SPORTS draft filled in admirably as a starter the 11 times his number was called upon last season. Louis averaged 9.3 points and averaged 5.5 assists, fourth most in the CEBL in 2023.

That final starting spot is where intrigue lies for Montréal as there are a few options to consider. They could stick with hometown product Elijah Ifejeh who’s returning for a third season with the Alliance and can add size with his 6-foot-8 frame. Montréal was second last in rebounding last year (36.2 per game) so Ifejeh alongside 6-foot-9 Smith could be a way of improving their fortunes on the glass.

Or they could slot in skilled 3-and-D specialist Maxime Boursiquot. Also a Montréal native entering his third year in the CEBL, Boursiquot was vital for the Ottawa BlackJacks’ last season. His 5.8 points per game and 3.8 rebounds may not stand out but they don’t paint a full picture. Boursiquot shot over 53 per cent from the field, 47 per cent from three and played in all 20 of Ottawa’s regular season games. His hyper-efficiency on offence was often matched by the fact he would typically guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player. If the Alliance want to prioritize fixing their defence, having a two-way achor like Boursiquot is a good place to start.

Another intriguing player to keep an eye on is Jahenns Manigat. The Montréal native is returning home after spending his first two CEBL seasons with game one opponent, Vancouver. Manigat made 23 appearances for the Bandits over that span, 15 of which came last year. It’ll be interesting to see how much the Alliance rely upon the 32-year-old as they matchup against his former squad.

On the other side, the Bandits didn’t fare much better in 2023. If there’s a team that understands Montréal’s excitement as hosts and the challenges that title presents, it’s Vancouver. As last year’s host city, the Bandits entered the postseason with an 8-12 record following a regular season marred by complacency.

The team was definitely talented -- as evidenced by the two-game win streak Vancouver took into the playoffs and then nearly upsetting the Surge in the Conference Finals -- but couldn’t get away from their bad habits. Vancouver led the league in turnovers last season, the only team to give the ball away over 16 times a game on average. All those freebies also meant they gave up plenty of easy points, hence why they were the second weakest defence (89 points against per game).

Fans watching the Bandits this year ought to hope that without the pressures of being host city, the team can bounce back, work their way to the postseason and avoid missing the playoffs for just the second time since in franchise history.

And to their credit, Vancouver had put in the work to improve their roster heading into 2024. Starting with the addition of Koby McEwen, a former Brampton Honey Badger, who’ll bring that surehandedness the Bandits lacked all of last season. The 2022 champion was a workhorse for the Honey Badgers last year averaging 13.7 points (second on Brampton), 5.4 assists (fifth in CEBL) while leading the league in free throw percentage (82 per cent). Adding a guard with that kind of pedigree and CEBL experience of McEwen immediately upgrades the Bandits’ backcourt from where it was a season ago.

What also makes adding the former Sixth Man of the Year so enticing for Vancouver is the pairing it creates with Nick Ward. The 2021 All-CEBL first team member played his first season with the Bandits last year and once again asserted himself as one of the league’s top big men. Ward averaged 18.7 points per game (seventh in the CEBL), 7.8 rebounds (eighth) and led the league with 62.2 per cent shooting from the field through 19 appearances in 2023.

The Bandits’ team MVP was instrumental in the little success they had last year as Ward spearheaded the league’s second-best rebounding team (42.1 rebounds per game). He’ll surely be leaned on once again to dominate the glass for Vancouver but at least Ward will have the luxury of a dynamic pick-and-roll partner in McEwen to work with to create more scoring.

Speaking of offence, the Bandits made sure to add plenty of it throughout the offseason. Beginning with a duo of American guards Zach Copeland and Tazé Moore. Copeland is coming off a stellar season with Bamberg Baskets of the German Basketball Bundesliga where he averaged 17.7 points on 37.8 per cent three-point shooting. His prolific outside shooting is sure to help a Vancouver squad that ranked third-worst from beyond the arc in 2023 (31.6 per cent). Meanwhile, Moore brings NBA and NBA G League experience in his first CEBL season. In 22 games with the Rip City Remix (Portland’s G League affiliate), the import averaged 15.6 points, 7.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds.

It won’t just be new additions fans should be excited to see come Thursday night, there will also be a long-anticipated reunion. James Karnik returns to the lineup after a stellar debut CEBL season in 2022 and then missing all of 2023 due to injury. The B.C. product was second on the Bandits for scoring and rebounding in his lone season in the league averaging 15.9 points and 7.9 rebounds.

“Making my professional debut with my hometown team in front of family and friends was pretty special in 2022,” said Karnik in anticipation of his return this year. “Now, as I make my comeback from an injury that negated my 2023 season, I can’t wait to show off the work that I put in the offseason to come back better and stronger, as well as reaching my high expectations for the team and my personal goals.”

“I know it will be an electric atmosphere at (Langley Events Centre) and I am excited to play in front of the amazing fans.”

Vancouver Bandits 2024 Season Preview

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:21:18 GMT

The safety net is gone for the Vancouver Bandits and that suits Kyle Julius just fine.

“I think last year was a gift and a curse. I like this way better,” admitted the team’s head coach and general manager, who enters his fifth season in one capacity or the other with the pro basketball team.

“From a coaching standpoint, I think the urgency is better, having to get up every day knowing you have to earn (your spot).”

Julius was referencing last summer when the Bandits knew they were guaranteed to be one of the last four teams standing as the host of the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Championship Weekend at Langley Events Centre.

He was speaking on Wednesday afternoon to the assembled media following the conclusion of the team’s practice which opened up training camp as Vancouver gets set for their season debut on May 23 when they host the Montréal Alliance at Langley Events Centre.

Coincidentally, the Alliance are in the same boat as the Bandits from a season ago as they are this summer’s Championship Weekend host.

The Bandits return four players from last summer’s squad which struggled to an 8-12 record but was a basket away from advancing to the CEBL Championship game for the first time since 2020.

Arguably the biggest returnee – both in terms if impact and actual size – is Nick Ward, a 6-foot-9 American import who averaged a team-high 18.5 points and 7.9 rebounds (second on the team) in 2023. His field goal percentage (61.6 percent) and offensive rebounding (3.16 per game) were both also top five in the CEBL.

Joining Ward as an inside presence will be Surrey’s James Karnik, who missed the entire 2023 campaign to allow both his mind and body to fully heal. In 10 games with the Bandits in 2022, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 15.9 points and 7.9 rebounds.

“My body is feeling the best it has ever felt,” Karnik said, adding it has been a long time since he felt this explosive on the court.

Karnik has set a personal goal of one highlight-reel play per game for himself.

The rest of the forward group consists of Kur Jongkuch (6-foot-9), Sam Maillet (6-foot-7), Drew Urquhart (6-foot-8) and Josip Vrankic (6-foot-9). Jongkuch is back for a second season while Urquhart played one game for the Bandits back in 2019. Maillet joins the team from Dalhousie where he helped the Tigers advance to three U Sports Final 8 tournaments. He was also the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Defensive Player of the Year. Vrankic spend this past season in the LEB Oro, the second highest division of professional basketball in Spain.

Urquhart returns to the professional game after a couple of seasons away, although he did keep tabs on the team as a Bandits season-ticket holder. But once he got the call from Julius, he jumped at the chance to join the squad.

But while size is a critical component in team success, Julius knows something was missing so he went out to address that.

“We wanted to try and build on the success we did have last year per possession and then add some athleticism, add some speed, add some quickness to that,” Julius explained about Ward’s inside presence would draw another defender, creating more space for the team’s guards on the perimeter.

To get more dynamic guard-play, the team has brought in a several new faces, the most prominent of those being Tazé Moore, a 6-foot-5 American guard who suited up in a handful of NBA games this past season for Portland. He also has G-League experience.

Moore struggled through his collegiate career with multiple surgeries, but said those setbacks made him that much more appreciative of his journey, also learning not to take anything in life for granted.

“You are always going to have your ups and downs, but at the end of the day, as long as you have faith in yourself, faith in a higher power, things will work out in the best situation for yourself,” he said.

Glen Yang(6-foot-4), Koby McEwen (6-foot-4) and Zach Copeland (6-foot-4) are all new to the Bandits, while the rest of the backcourt features returnees Duane Notice (6-foot-2) and Diego Maffia (6-foot-1).

Three times during the Bandits’ eight victories in 2023, Notice was responsible for the winning points during Target Score Time, and he also led all Vancouver players in accuracy from beyond the arc, connecting on 40.6 percent of his 3-point attempts.

Maffia joined Vancouver last summer on a U SPORTS development contract and with the experience gained in 2023, took that back to the University of Victoria, winning the U SPORTS Player of the Year award.

Yang and McEwen both have CEBL experience with Yang previously playing for Winnipeg while McEwen won the 2022 CEBL championship with Hamilton, also picking up the league’s Sixth Man of the Year Award that season. Copeland is new to the league but is a prolific shooter who is enjoying his most decorated professional season to date as a member of the Bamberg Baskets in Germany’s renowned Basketball Bundesliga. In 34 games, he averaged 17.7 points and 4.2 assists on 37.8 percent shooting from 3-point range.

The Bandits roster is rounded out by Adam Olsen, a 6-foot-7 guard/forward from UBC, 6-foot-1 guard Jerric Palma from Western, and 6-foot-11 centre Connor Platz of Trinity Western University. All three were selected in the CEBL Draft and are signed to Development Player contracts and retain their eligibility for the 2024-25 U Sports season.

Bandits Add Sport & Entertainment Business Leader Kenny MacIntyre to Executive Leadership Team

Mon, 20 May 2024 23:55:04 GMT

LANGLEY, BC , May 20th, 2024 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Monday that former Red Bull and Flair Airlines marketing executive Kenny MacIntyre will join its leadership team and serve as its senior vice president of franchise development ahead of its 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League ( CEBL ) season at BC’s Home of Hoops - Langley Events Centre (LEC).

A prominent figure in BC’s entertainment ecosystem, MacIntyre previously spent 15 years giving wings to athletes and artists as a marketing manager, culture director, and managing director of the Red Bull 3Style World DJ Championships, a project MacIntyre founded right here in Vancouver and scaled to a decade long world tour often called the “Olympics of DJing.” Most recently MacIntyre was the brand director for Flair Airlines who are major supporters of Canadian basketball through partnerships with CEBL and Canada Basketball.

Now, MacIntyre joins the fastest growing pro sports brand in BC to accelerate and support the Bandits’ preparations for the biggest season in club history.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kenny MacIntyre to the Vancouver Bandits Basketball family. His extensive experience in sports and entertainment, combined with his passion for basketball, makes him an invaluable addition to our front office, “ said team president of Vancouver Bandits Basketball, Dylan Kular. “Kenny's innovative spirit and dedication to the game will undoubtedly elevate our organization to new heights.”

A lifelong fan of the game, MacIntyre is an avid supporter of local basketball. A former Laurentian University basketball player, MacIntyre grew up immersed in the Sudbury, Ontario, hoops scene before later moving west to Whistler, BC, where MacIntyre coached the boys program at Whistler High School, leading them to a provincials appearance. MacIntyre now coaches for Kitsilano Secondary School boys basketball program, and is often seen on weekends at St. Patrick's Regional Secondary School coaching in the Dream Hoops Development League or at various gyms across Vancouver coaching in the RBL Basketball leagues.

“Bryan and I are thrilled to welcome a sports and entertainment leader of Kenny’s calibre to our front office. MacIntyre brings a wealth of knowledge and a visionary approach to our team. His global experience and successful initiatives with Red Bull and Flair Airlines demonstrate his ability to create impactful programs and partnerships. We are excited to see how his leadership will drive the Vancouver Bandits forward. MacIntyre's arrival marks a new chapter for the Vancouver Bandits. We have full confidence in his ability to make a significant impact, “ said co-owner of Vancouver Bandits Basketball, Kevin Dhaliwal.

Some of MacIntyre’s recent accomplishments with Flair Airlines supported grassroots partnerships with North Pole Hoops, UPlay, Fort Erie Academy, Royal Crown, and many more clubs across the country allowing Canadian athletes to take flight on higher trajectories. Through Flair Airlines with CEBL and Canada Basketball, Macintyre created the #ShotFromTheDot which sees fans winning the unbelieve prize of free flights for a year.

The upcoming 2024 season at LEC will be the Vancouver Bandits’ sixth CEBL campaign, which tips-off 7:00pm P.T., Thursday, May 23rd at Langley Events Centre versus Montreal Alliance.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Put on a Show at 3rd Annual School Day Game

Sat, 18 May 2024 00:16:44 GMT

It took them a quarter or so to get going, but once they did, the Vancouver Bandits put on a show from beyond the arc at the club’s home venue of Langley Events Centre (LEC).

The Bandits sank 12 of their 13 three-point shots after the first 10 minutes as they won 105-78 over the U SPORTS BC All-Stars at yesterday’s third annual School Day Game, presented by Sentinel Storage and Headlands Environmental .

“We put a lot of time and energy into finding three-point shooters,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “The three-ball is so valuable in this league.”

“If you look at our team, we have five point guards and five 5’s, that’s our team. I want guys that can handle and guys that can shoot the three, and I think we showed that today.”

Julius was speaking to media following the team’s School Day Game, which saw more than 4,000 elementary, middle and high school students fill the stands for the Bandits’ pre-season contest against a team of local university players.

The exhibition game precedes the Bandits’ highly anticipated Home Opener this upcoming week, taking lace on Thursday, May 23 (7 PM) against the Montréal Alliance at LEC.

“I learned more than I expected to learn,” Julius admitted of his team, which was without six of its 15 rostered players – who are still on their way to Vancouver or finishing up with their current pro teams overseas in their respective post-seasons.

“We got a chance to examine our team in a game-day atmosphere,” he said, adding it was an opportunity not just for the players to play in a game situation on their home court with fans – something that cannot be replicated in practice – but also for the coaching and training staffs to iron out any kinks they may have.

“I learned a lot defensively that I think will really help us. And I don’t think we would have known that necessarily in practice. You just don’t get this atmosphere in practice; you can’t recreate it.”

Offensively, James Karnik led the Bandits with 25 points.

“We know that James Karnik is going to be a really big piece, showed that he is healthy and in great shape,” Julius said of the team’s 6-foot-9 forward from Surrey, who played for the team in 2022 but took all of last summer off to recover, both physically and mentally.

“James is a special player. We did not have that kind of energy and effort last year. I think he is a big-time upgrade and a huge locker room piece because that kind of energy and effort is contagious. It is leadership by action.”

Karnik showed his leadership and energy, taking the microphone prior to tip-off, pumping up the crowd.

And with Karnik scoring in the post with an array of moves, it opened up the outside for players like Diego Maffia, who finished with 22 points, 18 of which came from beyond the arc.

Maffia was with the team in 2023, taking the experience he gained back to the University of Victoria this past season, winning the U SPORTS Player of the Year.

Thursday’s game also saw two new additions make their Bandits debut as Tazé Moore – who has both NBA and G League experience on his resume – scored 19 while Glen Yang – formerly of the CEBL’s Winnipeg Sea Bears – added 17.

Vancouver Bandits Announce 2024 Training Camp Roster

Tue, 14 May 2024 16:53:24 GMT

Roster for BC’s pro basketball team features a decorated collection of talent from the NBA, Canadian national team pipeline, as well as premier European professional leagues.

LANGLEY, B.C. , May 14, 2024 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday its training camp roster for its sixth season of professional basketball, which tips off on Thursday, May 23 when the the club welcomes the Montréal Alliance to Langley Events Centre (LEC) for its highly anticipated home opener.

Single game tickets for the home opener are on sale now at this link .

Vancouver’s 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) training camp roster features 15 athletes; including 12 Canadians, 7 British Columbians, three Americans and five U SPORTS development athletes.

Media availability to attend Bandits training camp has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 14 at 11:30 a.m. at LEC. Journalists interested in attending are kindly asked to RSVP to Andrew Savory ( asavory@thebandits.ca ) to request credentials. Accreditation is required.

The upcoming summer campaign will be head coach and general manager Kyle Julius’ fifth season with the club. Julius coached the Bandits to a CEBL championship finals berth in 2020 and the franchise has qualified for the CEBL postseason in each of the past four consecutive years.

“This group is special. We have a new core and we are headed in a new direction. We are all really excited about the roster this summer. We have a tremendous opportunity to work with homegrown players and help them develop while also growing the game locally,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

“We have some high-level talent with very high-level experience. We want to make our amazing fanbase proud and we can't wait to come together and compete for a championship.”

Returning members from 2023’s Bandits roster are Kur Jongkuch, Diego Maffia, Duane Notice and Nick Ward. Rounding out the returning cast is James Karnik, who missed the entire 2023 CEBL season due to injury. Together, the five players bring a mix of energy, shooting and size to the Bandits’ new roster.

Nick Ward, a 6-foot-9 forward from Gahanna, Ohio, averaged a team-high 18.5 points and 7.9 rebounds (second on the team) through 19 regular season games with the Bandits last summer. Among CEBL leaders, Ward’s field goal percentage and offensive rebounding prowess ranked him first and fourth among the league’s top players, respectively.

Jongkuch made his pro debut with the Bandits last summer after wrapping up his NCAA Division I career at Temple University. He appeared in nine regular season CEBL games and recorded season-highs in minutes played (18), points (nine), rebounds (six) and blocks (two) against Montréal on July 16, 2023.

Joining Jongkuch in the frontcourt is Karnik, who shone in his lone 2022 season with the Bandits. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 15.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in 10 regular season contests. 2022 marked the debut of Karnik’s professional career. He followed up his promising summer with the Bandits by later suiting up as a member of Czechia’s national team in its pursuit of qualifying for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Bolstering the backcourt are Notice and Maffia, who emerged as key guards in the team’s rotation last summer. Notice averaged 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 25 minutes per game while nailing 40.6 per cent of his three-point attempts to lead all Vancouver players in accuracy from long-range and to also rank among the top 10 marksmen in the entire CEBL last summer. Notice scored three target score game winners in just his first season with the club, which ties him for fourth all-time among Bandits players.

2024 will be Maffia’s second year with the Bandits. He was announced as a standard player but signed a ‘U SPORTS development athlete’ contract to allow him to retain his eligibility for a potential final season at the University of Victoria. His 2023-24 U SPORTS season saw the talented guard and Oak Bay Secondary alumnus be named the most valuable player in all of U SPORTS men’s basketball.

Added firepower at the guard position are American guards and newcomers Zach Copeland and Tazé Moore as well as Canadians Koby McEwen and Glen Yang, who join the Bandits after previously playing for Brampton and Winnipeg, respectively.

McEwen brings a championship pedigree to Vancouver after winning a CEBL championship with Brampton in 2022 (then known as the Hamilton Honey Badgers) – a season that also saw him named CEBL Sixth Man of the Year for his efforts. McEwen currently stands as Brampton’s all-time franchise leader in minutes played (1123) and assists (155).

Also swapping CEBL jerseys to join Vancouver is Yang, who was born and raised in Burnaby, B.C., but moved to Hong Kong at a young age before eventually spending his teenage years as a Calgary resident. The versatile 6-foot-4 guard started all 20 regular season games for the Winnipeg Sea Bears in 2023 and scored in double figures five times throughout his first CEBL stint; including a season-high 15 points versus Calgary on July 16 and Vancouver on July 23.

Copeland is a prolific shooter who is enjoying his most decorated professional season to date as a member of Bamberg Baskets. In 34 games played in Germany’s renowned Basketball Bundesliga, Copeland averaged 17.7 points and 4.2 assists per game on 37.8 per cent shooting from three-point range.

Moore appeared in four games for the Portland Trail Blazers this past year, scoring an NBA career-high 12 points, eight rebounds (four offensive) and four assists in 30 minutes of action on April 14 against the Sacramento Kings.

In addition to being called up to the NBA, Moore played 22 games for Portland’s G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix, where he averaged 15.6 points, 7.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game on 49.8 per cent shooting from field goal range.

A late arrival for Vancouver’s 2024 season is Josip Vrankic, who is currently playing for Gipuzkoa in the LEB Oro where he is averaging 8.6 points per game in 33 contests. The LEB Oro is the second highest division of professional basketball in Spain, which as a nation boasts the second best national team FIBA ranking in the world behind the United States. Vrankic will report to Vancouver upon the conclusion of his current season.

A recognizable name also attending Bandits training camp is Vancouver’s own, Drew Urquhart, who at 6-foot-8 brings an ability to stretch the floor with his long-range shooting. Urquhart attended St. George’s School in Vancouver before finishing high school in Washington and later playing at the University of Vermont between 2014-18. He appeared in one game with the Bandits in 2019 when he scored 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting in nearly 20 minutes of action at the club’s inaugural home opener on May 9.

Three CEBL Draft selections will also be at training camp; including Adam Olsen (first round, fourth overall), Jerric Palma (second round, 17th overall) and Connor Platz (third round, 24th overall). Each of the BC-natives were selected by Vancouver in April at the annual draft. Olsen starred at Elgin Park Secondary before taking his talents to the University of British Columbia where he just wrapped up a solid freshman season that saw him average 8.5 points per game in 2023-24.

Palma is also a St. George’s alumnus and has made a name for himself as a deadeye shooter at Western University. Through 77 games (55 starts) with the Mustangs, Palma is averaging 24.2 minutes, 13 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game on 41.2 per cent shooting.

Bringing additional size to Vancouver’s training camp roster is Platz, who at 6-foot-11 has emerged as one of Canada West and U SPORTS’ best shot blockers over the course of his three years at Trinity Western University. Platz nearly averaged a double-double in 2023-24, posting imposing averages of 34.4 minutes, 12.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 2.9 assists per game.

The 15th and final member of the Bandits’ camp roster is Sam Maillet, who hails from Monton, N.B. and has been a key cog at Dalhousie University during his four years with the Tigers from 2019-2024. Dalhousie has advanced to three U SPORTS Final 8 tournaments during Maillet’s tenure; including a second place finish in 2020. Maillet’s points, minutes, rebounds and assists totals have increased in each year that he has played at Dalhousie. His steady progression was rewarded in 2022 when he was named the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference’s defensive player of the year. In his most recent 2023-24 season, Maillet averaged 8.7 points, 6.6 assists, 6.2 rebounds and 30.4 minutes per game.

Vancouver will play a total of 10 regular season home games in 2024 between Thursday, May 23 and Thursday, July 18. The Bandits wrap up regular season action on the road against Montréal on Sunday, July 28 at 1 p.m. PT.

Vancouver Bandits and Preston Chevrolet Renew Partnership for the 2024 CEBL Season

Fri, 03 May 2024 19:04:22 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that one of the province’s largest General Motors dealerships, Preston Chevrolet, has renewed its dedication to supporting Canadian professional basketball by extending its community and marketing partnership with the Bandits for the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Vancouver Bandits and Preston Chevrolet have been partners since the Vancouver Bandits made their debut at the Langley Events Centre in 2022.

The focus of Preston Chevrolet’s partnership with BC’s professional basketball team is to contribute to the game day experience at the home venue, the Langley Events Centre (LEC), while supporting their additional community outreach programs. This support includes initiatives such as; the Community Champion program, Vancouver Bandits’ school visits, and community event attendance throughout the province powered by the Vancouver Bandits’ Community Cruiser proudly supplied by Preston Chevrolet.

Since 2022, Preston Chevrolet has supported the Community Champion program where community teams from across the region have experienced Vancouver Bandits basketball in the Preston Players’ Lounge at Langley Events Centre. The community Champion program allowed hundreds of at-risk youths to get the opportunity to attend Vancouver Bandits games; an opportunity that many would not receive otherwise.

With the support of Preston Chevrolet, from November 2023 to February 2024; the Vancouver Bandits head coach & general manager Kyle Julius visited 81 middle school and high schools across the province. The purpose of these visits was to support middle school and high school basketball programs with complimentary coaching and player development.

“Our community partnership with the Bandits has been outstanding from the start. Both our organizations believe in the value and accessibility of sports, particularly team sports for youth and

families in our communities” said Peter Heppner of Preston Chevrolet. Preston Chevrolet has been a family-owned and operated business in Langley since 1965. Purchased from the Preston family in 2006 Peter and son (Leigh Heppner) continue the long-standing commitment to supporting the communities they serve.

“The moment we committed to Langley Events Centre in 2022 we were made aware of Peter Heppner and Preston Chevrolet’s commitment to giving back to the community. It was more than just marketing for Peter and Preston Chevrolet, it was about finding ways for Vancouver Bandits basketball to execute programming that provided youth in our community with accessible opportunities.

Peter Heppner, Leigh Heppner, and the entire team at Preston Chevrolet have embraced Vancouver Bandits basketball with open arms, enabling us to strengthen our community and bring us together through basketball. We are excited to continue our partnership for a third consecutive season.” Bandits team president Dylan Kular said.

Vancouver Bandits Sign Former Santa Clara Bronco Josip Vrankic

Thu, 02 May 2024 16:53:06 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has signed 6-foot-9 forward and former Santa Clara University Bronco Josip Vrankic for its upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

A native of Toronto, Ont., Josip is currently playing for Gipuzkoa in the LEB Oro, the second highest division of professional basketball in Spain, which as a nation boasts the second best national team FIBA ranking in the world behind the United States.

The 2023-24 campaign in progress is Vrankic’s second professional season after playing five decorated seasons of NCAA Division I basketball at Santa Clara between 2017-22, the alma mater of Victoria, B.C. product and NBA Hall of Famer Steve Nash.

Vrankic will report to Vancouver upon the conclusion of his current season in Spain.

"I am excited to join the Bandits family and to be part of a group that is focused on winning and growing together. I have heard great things about the fanbase in Vancouver and I am looking forward to a special season," Vrankic said.

Vancouver’s highly anticipated home opener is on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. PT against the Montréal Alliance. Single game tickets for the home opener and all regular season games are on sale now at this link .

Vrankic is enjoying another solid season early in his professional career; posting averages of 22.4 minutes, 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game on 34.4 per cent shooting from three-point range over the course of 32 games played with Gipuzkoa. Last year he made his pro debut with Chieti, where he placed first on the club in rebounds (8.0) and second in points per game (14.9) in 17 games played before signing with Ravenna to finish the 2022-23 season.

Prior to turning pro, Vrankic appeared in 137 games for the Broncos, starting 131 – a program record. His 1,817 career points place him third in school history while his 801 rebounds place him eighth. Vrankic punctuated his illustrious Division I career by earning four consecutive West Coast Conference (WCC) selections; including back-to-back first team recognition in 2021 and 2022.

“Josip is a very high IQ basketball player with great versatility. He can really shoot and play inside. We think he is a great fit for our group and we really look forward to him becoming part of our family,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

Vancouver Bandits and FortisBC Renew Partnership for the 2024 CEBL Season

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 21:01:06 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that the province’s largest energy provider, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) , has renewed its dedication to supporting Canadian professional basketball by extending its community and marketing partnership with the Bandits for the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

The focus of FortisBC’s partnership with British Columbia’s professional basketball team is to contribute to the game day experience at Vancouver’s home venue of the Langley Events Centre (LEC) and to support basketball communities throughout British Columbia through the Indigenous Basketball Collective program’s youth clinics, officiating clinics and coaching clinics.

Through Indigenous Basketball Collective, FortisBC and Vancouver Bandits previously built outdoor basketball courts that now serve as new recreational hubs for local youth in four Indigenous communities across the province and have hosted youth basketball clinics for Indigenous youth.

“Our support for the Vancouver Bandits is an example of FortisBC’s commitment to the communities where we live and work,” said Doug Slater, vice-president of Indigenous relations and regulatory affairs at FortisBC. “We have made great strides with the Bandits in building safe basketball facilities for Indigenous youth across the province and look forward to our continued work together.”

FortisBC believes strongly in being an active partner with communities and supports many community-based initiatives and organizations throughout British Columbia each year.

Since 2022, the goal of the Indigenous Basketball Collective has been to create increased opportunities for Indigenous players, coaches and others involved in basketball to participate in training camps, competitions, workshops and more.

“According to I∙SPARC, basketball is the most popular sport amongst Indigenous youth in this province and through the Indigenous Basketball Collective we can support the basketball ecosystem in British Columbia. FortisBC has been a pillar partner for the Collective since 2022 and their support of the Collective has seen hundreds of youth attend camps and dozens of new coaches and officials added into the basketball ecosystem. Their support of basketball goes beyond supporting the professional basketball club in this province and we are grateful for their support.” Bandits team president Dylan Kular said.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

World-renowned Recording Artist Sharry Mann to Perform at Vancouver Bandits June 1st South Asian Heritage Game

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 17:03:37 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that internationally celebrated vocalist and actor Sharry Mann will perform at Langley Events Centre (LEC) on Saturday, June 1 when the Bandits host the visiting Calgary Surge for the club’s first-ever South Asian Heritage Game.

Exclusive to ticketholders for the Bandits’ game day, Mann will delight Bandits fans in attendance with two performances on June 1st; including a pre-game concert in the arena bowl and a half-time show during the intermission between the second and third quarters of gameplay.

Fans in attendance are kindly encouraged to arrive prior to 7 p.m. PT to ensure that they have time to find parking (free on-site at LEC) and locate their seats before Mann’s performance, which will be shortly after the top of the hour before the Bandits and Surge tip-off at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for Mann’s highly anticipated concert; which is included in the cost of a Bandits game ticket, are on sale now at this link . Admission to the concert and game are combined and start at $27.50 per ticket. All ticket prices are inclusive of taxes and fees.

A world-renowned artist famous for his appearances and chart-topping hits in Punjabi music and film, Mann has amassed hundreds of millions of plays on YouTube and Spotify ; including tracks such as ‘3 Peg’ (800+ million plays on YouTube, 50+ million Spotify streams) and Hostel (250+ million plays on YouTube, 13+ million Spotify streams).

Mann’s success has paved the way for the talented artist to be recognized globally. Recent recognition includes winning best music video at the Brit Asia TV Music Awards for ‘Yaar Chadeya’ in 2019, as well as having various tracks appear in the Top 40 of the Britain’s Official Charts .

The June 1st Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) match-up between Vancouver and Calgary will be the first time that the Western Conference foes have met since Calgary inched past Vancouver in last year’s Western Conference Finals. Adding to the game’s excitement is the debut of the Bandits’ South Asian Heritage jersey, designed by Sandeep Johal to be worn by Vancouver at the game to honour and celebrate the culture and artistry of South Asia.

“I am thrilled to welcome Sharry Mann and his management to Langley Events Centre for what will surely be one of the most exciting games of the 2024 CEBL season. Fans in attendance will be treated to two awesome musical performances courtesy of Sharry as well as a must-watch rematch against our rivals from Calgary,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

Vancouver Bandits Sign Guard Glen Yang

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:58:07 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has signed 6-foot-4 guard and former Winnipeg Sea Bear Glen Yang for its upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

Yang was born in Burnaby and moved to Hong Kong when he was five before moving back to Canada. He spent his high school and university years in Calgary, attending Sir Winston Churchill High School before starring at Mount Royal University from 2014-2019.

“I can’t wait to get back to Vancouver and embrace the culture of the Bandits franchise. I was born in Burnaby, so to come back and play professional basketball is a full circle moment and a dream come true. I am excited to join the team and to get to work!” Yang said.

Yang will report to Bandits’ training camp this May, which precedes Vancouver’s highly anticipated home opener on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. PT against the Montréal Alliance. Single game tickets for the home opener and all regular season games are on sale now at this link .

2024 will be Yang’s second season in the CEBL after starting all 20 games with the Sea Bears last year. He averaged six points, three assists and 2.6 rebounds per game over the course of 20 regular season games with the Sea Bears, who finished in a three-way tie for the second best record in the CEBL last year (12-8).

Yang scored in double figures five times throughout the 2023 CEBL season; including a season-high 15 points versus Calgary on July 16 and Vancouver on July 23. His July 23rd scoring outburst was complemented by an all-around performance that saw Yang tally nine rebounds, five assists and three steals in nearly 35 minutes of action.

“Glen is a proven winner who plays with toughness and a high IQ. I am really looking forward to working with Glen and having him enhance our culture,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

Yang is in the midst of his fourth season of professional basketball; spending two seasons in Spain before taking his talents to Asia where he has suited up with the Bay Area Dragons (2022-23) and the Kaohsiung Steelers (2023-24).

During his time in the East Asia Super League, Yang helped the Bay Area Dragons advance to a Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup finals appearance in 2023. This past season in Taiwan with the Steelers, Yang played in 11 games and recorded season-highs in points (18), rebounds (7) and assists (6) in his first game with the club on Dec. 3, 2023.

Vancouver Bandits Sign Portland Trail Blazers Guard Taze Moore

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 17:38:10 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has signed Portland Trail Blazers and Rip City Remix experienced guard Taze Moore for the club’s upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

Taze Moore appeared in four games for the Trail Blazers this past 2023-24 NBA season, most recently suiting up in Portland’s regular season finale against the Sacramento Kings where he scored an NBA career-high 12 points, eight rebounds (four offensive) and four assists in 30 minutes of action.

Prior to being called up to the NBA, Moore played 22 games for Portland’s G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix, where he averaged 15.6 points, 7.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game on 49.8 per cent shooting from field goal range over 22 games played.

“I am excited to be part of the Vancouver Bandits family and to work relentlessly toward winning a CEBL championship,” Moore said.

A native of Southaven, Miss., Moore becomes the second member of the Bandits to play in the NBA, joining MJ Walker who played for Vancouver last summer and suited up for the Phoenix Suns in 2021-22.

When Vancouver tips off its highly anticipated home opener against Montréal on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. PT, Moore will cement himself as the latest addition to a growing list of players–19 in total once Moore takes the hardwood at LEC–that have played in at least one CEBL and NBA game.

Tickets for the home opener and all regular season games are on sale now at this link .

Moore turned pro in 2022 after playing five seasons of NCAA Division I basketball at the University of Houston (2021-22) and California State University, Bakersfield (2016-21). He averaged 10.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals in 30.1 minutes per game for a Houston Cougars squad that advanced to the Elite Eight at the 2022 March Madness tournament. To cap off his impressive collegiate career, Moore showcased his high-flying skillset by winning the 2022 NCAA slam dunk contest .

In addition to his athleticism, Moore is a two-way player that impacts the game on both sides of the basketball. He was named to the All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament team in 2022 and ranked in the conference’s top 10 leaders in the categories of assists, minutes played, defensive and offensive rating, offensive rebounds, steals, two-point field goal percentage and win shares.

“We are all incredibly excited to work with Taze and for the Bandits to be a part of his development. He is one of the best athletes I have ever seen and his overall skillset and feel for the game is even better. We think he is the perfect addition to our already strong roster because he will also have the opportunity to be a leader and push us towards competitive greatness,” said Bandits’ head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

Prior to Portland, Moore also spent time as a member of the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks’ NBA Summer League rosters in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Maffia Returns to Bandits for Second Season With Vancouver

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 16:46:32 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C. , April 12, 2024 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that the club has re-signed 2024 U SPORTS most valuable player Diego Maffia for the club’s upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

Maffia appeared in 14 contests (four starts) with the Bandits last summer and averaged 7.1 points, 2.4 assists, 1.4 rebounds and 15.2 minutes per game in his first season of professional basketball. In his first pro career start on June 3, 2023, Maffia recorded a double-double and the game-winning basket as part of a 15-point, 11-assist performance against the Calgary Surge.

This will be the Bandits’ sixth season and Maffia’s second with the club. A native of Victoria, B.C., and an alumnus of Oak Bay Secondary, Maffia returns to Vancouver on a ‘developmental contract,’ which allows the 22-year-old guard to retain his eligibility for a fifth year at the University of Victoria, where he has starred for the Vikes since 2019.

Prior to the 2023-24 U SPORTS season, Maffia spent last summer with the Bandits after being drafted sixth overall in the first round of the 2023 CEBL Draft.

“After a great experience last summer, I knew that I wanted to run it back. We have some unfinished business to take care of and I can’t wait to do it in front of the best fanbase in the country!” Maffia said.

Maffia has enjoyed a decorated U SPORTS career to date. He has been named a first team all-Canadian and Canada West player of the year twice in consecutive years (2022-23 and 23-24), and has led the Vikes to three straight Canada West championships and U SPORTS Final 8 appearances.

Over the course of four seasons at Victoria, Maffia is averaging 28.3 minutes, 20.1 points, 3.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 3.4 three-pointers made per game on 34.8 per cent shooting from long range across 75 games played (56 starts).

“I felt it was important to sign and announce Diego as a standard player. He will have a development contract to maintain his eligibility but I view him as a high level pro who has earned a proper roster spot with us. Diego has proven he belongs in this league and we are excited about working with him again this summer,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

Tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ highly anticipated home opener on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. against the Montréal Alliance are on sale now at this link .

Vancouver Bandits Select Trio of Local Talent at 2024 CEBL Draft

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:52:50 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has drafted three homegrown players–all hailing from the Lower Mainland–in Adam Olsen from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Jerric Palma from Western University and Connor Platz from Trinity Western University (TWU) at the sixth annual Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Draft.

Olsen was chosen by the Bandits fourth overall in the first round, followed by Palma who was taken in the second round, 17th overall, and Platz, who was selected in the third and final round, 24th overall.

“I am really excited about the opportunity to work with all three of our draft picks this summer. The goal for our organization is to grow the game from the grassroots level and up. We want to help produce more professional players from B.C. and drafting talented local players is fundamental in the process,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

A 6-foot-7 swingman from Surrey, B.C., Olsen recently completed his freshman season with the Thunderbirds where he appeared in 20 contests (three starts) and averaged 17.8 minutes, 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 three-pointers made per game.

Olsen was named to the Canada West all-rookie team following his impressive debut as a university freshman this past season. His best scoring performance of the 2023-24 campaign arrived on Jan. 13 when the skilled shooter nailed five three-pointers and racked up 24 points in 24 minutes of action against the Manitoba Bisons.

“I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Bandits family this summer. It is a great chance to grow my game and learn from a strong group of professionals who are committed to winning and building something special together,” Olsen said.

Prior to UBC, Olsen starred at Elgin Park Secondary where he led the Orcas to a second place finish at the Triple A provincial championship in 2022. No stranger to playing on big stages, Olsen also suited up as a starter for British Columbia’s under-18 provincial team that earned a silver medal at the Canada Games in the summer of 2022.

“We are thrilled for Adam to be drafted by the Vancouver Bandits. It is an amazing opportunity for Adam and we appreciate the Bandits identifying him as someone that they want involved in their team and their organization. Adam is an elite three-point shooter that has deep range and can really stretch the defense,” said UBC Thunderbirds head coach Kevin Hanson.

“It is great to see the Bandits drafting local university talent and giving them the opportunity to play in the CEBL. Having the opportunity to play against professionals all summer bodes well for Adam’s development heading into the 2025 U SPORTS National Championships that UBC is hosting in March.”

The Bandits tabbed Palma in the second round. A 6-foot-1 guard from Richmond, B.C., he recently wrapped up his fourth year with the Western University Mustangs in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference, where he has enjoyed a tremendous U SPORTS career since debuting at the post-secondary level in 2019 after starring at St. George’s School in Vancouver.

Palma is averaging 24.2 minutes, 13 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game on 41.2 per cent shooting from three-point range over the course of 77 games played (55 starts) for Western.

“It is an honour to be selected by the Bandits as part of this year’s CEBL draft class. Playing professionally for my hometown team has always been a dream of mine. I am grateful to be joining an organization that focuses on player development and to be a part of a team with a progressive mindset. I am looking forward to this incredible opportunity to continue doing what I love,” Palma said.

The Mustangs were a national contender in 2020 during Palma’s freshman season, earning a trip to the U SPORTS semifinals after finishing second in the OUA – a feat the Mustangs repeated this past winter only to fall to Brock University in the conference semis.

“Jerric is an absolute pleasure to coach and is someone who works on his game relentlessly. Jerric is one of the best three-point shooters in Canada and has unlimited range. We are extremely excited for Jerric and support him every step of the way,” said Western head coach Brad Campbell.

Rounding out the Bandits’ 2024 draft class is towering centre and Walnut Grove product Connor Platz, who at 6-foot-11 has emerged as one of the elite shot blockers in all of Canada, leading not only Canada West in blocked shots last season, but all of U SPORTS.

Platz nearly averaged a double-double in 2023-24, posting imposing averages of 34.4 minutes, 12.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 2.9 assists per game. The skilled big man also hit 24 three-pointers in his third year with the Spartans, demonstrating an added dimension to his game by being able to stretch the floor with his long-range shooting.

“Being drafted by my hometown team is a special moment in my career. I am looking forward to working as hard as possible this summer to elevate my game and to learn from my teammates as well as the Bandits’ coaching staff,” Platz said.

No stranger to writing his name in the history books, Platz nearly recorded the first-ever quadruple-double in Canada West history on Feb. 7, 2024 when he racked up 13 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and seven blocks. A month prior, Platz scored a career-high 26 points against the eventual Canada West champions, Victoria Vikes.

“We are thrilled for Connor to be drafted into the CEBL and to be part of a first-class organization and coaching staff in the Bandits. We have seen firsthand with Mason Bourcier the impact it can have on a player's game coming back in the fall for the U SPORTS season after a summer in the CEBL. I am very proud of Connor to achieve this honour to play in the CEBL and I know he will do great and make us proud,” said TWU head coach Trevor Pridie.

The Vancouver Bandits open the club’s sixth season when the club tips off on May 23rd at 7 p.m. for its highly anticipated home opener against the Montréal Alliance. Tickets for the highly anticipated opening night match-up are on sale now at this link .

Vancouver Bandits Unveil New Logo and Jersey Ahead of 2024 South Asian Heritage Game

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 17:03:55 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits unveiled Thursday a new logo and jersey designed in collaboration with artist Sandeep Johal to celebrate South Asian culture and to be worn this upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

The jersey will be debuted in conjunction with the Bandits’ first-ever ‘South Asian Heritage’ theme game, taking place on Saturday, June 1 when Vancouver takes on the Calgary Surge in a rematch of last year’s tightly contested western conference finals matchup.

The highly anticipated June 1st game will include various pre-game and in-game entertainment and production activations designed to showcase the beauty and culture of South Asia.

Tickets for the game are on sale now at this link . Adult and youth sizes of the jersey are now available for sale as well.

Adding to the various exciting facets of the game day is the debut of the new jersey, which features a custom logo designed by Johal to honour South Asian artistic traditions and design techniques.

“It’s a celebration of being South Asian. It’s a celebration of our culture. It’s very vibrant. It’s very joyful. It’s very colorful and I bring that into my work a lot. I leaned into Phulkari, which is folk embroidery from Punjab,” Johal said.

“When you see your culture being represented at such a grand scale, it makes you feel like you have the ability to be a part of that and that maybe this space is for you. I'm loving this shift, where we're seeing organizations open up those spaces for all of us.”

The Bandits’ sixth CEBL campaign marks the first time that the club will host a theme game focused on bringing fans closer to the history, style and artistry of South Asia, which has grown to be an important part of British Columbia’s cultural fabric. As of 2021, 9.6 per cent of the province’s population is South Asian, according to Statistics Canada.

Johal’s rendition of the Bandits’ logo champions a pink colour for the eye mask to evoke a sense of energy and passion. Central to her style is the use of the eye, which has been lengthened and defined to create a focal point.

Further enhancing the reimagined logo is the incorporation of a paisley illustration, which takes its inspiration from a common pattern often seen in sari borders or different textiles. The use of paisley, or “ambi” in Punjabi, pays tribute to a popular motif in South Asian design.

“Over the past few seasons we have had it in our plans to unveil a Vancouver Bandits South Asian Heritage Game. Through the support and encouragement from our fans, we are excited to unveil this inaugural event, which is bolstered by a special jersey designed by Sandeep Johal that represents the cultural diversity of the South Asian community in British Columbia,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

The Vancouver Bandits open the club’s sixth season when the club tips off on May 23rd at 7 p.m. for its highly anticipated home opener against the Montréal Alliance.

Vancouver Bandits and Rona Fraser Valley Building Supplies Renew Partnership

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 16:32:15 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that Fraser Valley-based home improvement and hardware solutions company, RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies, has renewed its dedication to supporting Canadian professional basketball by extending its community and marketing partnership with the Bandits for the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies has been aligned with Bandits Basketball since 2023 when its inaugural year of partnership was announced following the club’s ownership acquisition by Bandits Sports & Entertainment .

The focus of Fraser Valley Building Supplies’ partnership with British Columbia’s professional basketball team is to contribute to the game day experience at Vancouver’s home venue of Langley Events Centre (LEC) and to support basketball communities throughout the Lower Mainland through the Court Projects program and the Community Champion Initiative where Fraser Valley Building Supplies supports hundreds of youth from the region through the sponsored provision of tickets to the game.

Dave Deobald, Sales Manager at RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies, expressed, "Our ongoing partnership with the Vancouver Bandits reflects our deep commitment to supporting Canadian basketball and fostering community engagement. We are proud to renew our partnership with the Vancouver Bandits, reinforcing our commitment to fostering community development through the power of sports. We're looking forward to continue our support for initiatives like the Court Projects Program, which aligns with our core value of Community Connection."

RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies is a leading home improvement and hardware solutions provider with locations across British Columbia. With a dedication to Helping Communities Prosper, RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies strive to support local initiatives and organizations that make a positive impact.

“The Vancouver Bandits are grateful to build on our community-driven partnership with RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies for the 2024 CEBL season. Fraser Valley Building Supplies displayed their commitment in 2023 to growing the game of basketball at the grassroots level through their support of Court Projects and the Community Champion Initiative. RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies’ support of Court Projects has improved more than 25 outdoor courts in the Lower Mainland and has been integral in the development of four outdoor basketball courts in four Indigenous communities in British Columbia,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies has renewed their commitment of both Court Projects and the Community Champion Initiative for the 2024 season so that more kids can play and be introduced to the game of basketball.”

Season tickets and flex packs for the sixth season of Bandits Basketball are available for purchase at this link . A complete CEBL regular season schedule is expected to be announced this winter.

Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2024 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Sign Zach Copeland

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 16:52:31 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed American guard Zach Copeland for its upcoming season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

Copeland is currently in the middle of his fourth professional season, suiting up for Bamberg Baskets in the Basketball Bundesliga, the top division of men’s basketball in Germany and a league renowned for helping produce various NBA players, as well as being regarded as a top 10 league globally in terms of its talent pool.

A 6-foot-4 guard from Oakland, Calif., Copeland currently sits fifth in points per game in the Bundesliga, scoring 18.1 points per game while also leading his team in three-pointers made with 83. Rounding out Copeland’s contributions are his four assists and 1.4 steals per game, as well as his 84.4 per cent free throw percentage – all of which are team highs.

“I am excited for what is to come this summer; to experience a great city like Vancouver and to contribute to a prominent organization while keeping my game sharp. I am grateful for the opportunity,” Copeland said.

Copeland will report to the Bandits following the conclusion of his current European pro season. Exclusive single game tickets for the Bandits’ highly anticipated ‘Home Opener Weekend’ featuring games on Thursday, May 23 and Sunday, May 26 are on sale now at this link .

Copeland is one of the international basketball scene’s rising stars. His prior overseas stops include England (2020-21), Ukraine (2021), Finland (2021-22) and Italy (2022-23).

A proven scorer with each of his previous clubs, Copeland demonstrated his elite production and reliability by helping Pistoia Basket win the Italian Serie A2 championship in 2023 after averaging 15.7 points per game spread over 40 games; culminating in Pistoia’s promotion to the Italian Serie A top division.

“Zach is an elite combo guard who has proven himself at the highest levels in Europe. He has climbed the ladder every year. Zach is a leader and he will definitely enhance our culture. He plays with a ton of passion and energy. I can't wait to get to work with Zach,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

Copeland has elevated his game throughout his collegiate and professional career. He began his collegiate tenure at City College of San Francisco where he was named Coast-North Conference Player of the Year and the California Community Colleges Men's Basketball Coaches Association Co-Player of the Year following his second season with the Rams in 2016-17.

His strong play at the junior college level paved the way for Copeland to transfer to Illinois State University where he played two seasons of NCAA Division I basketball with the Redbirds from 2018-20. In his final year at Illinois State, Copeland emerged as not just the Redbirds’ leading scorer, but one of the top players in the Missouri Valley Conference, leading his team with 14.5 points per game, which also ranked him 7th among conference leaders.

The Vancouver Bandits open the club’s sixth season when the club tips off on May 23rd at 7 p.m. for its highly anticipated home opener against the Montréal Alliance.

Vancouver Bandits and Basketball BC Announce First 3x3 Clutch Tournament

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 06:36:15 GMT

Bandits align with provincial and national sports organizations to strengthen British Columbia’s 3x3 basketball ecosystem and announce first tournament.

The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and Basketball BC announced Monday that it has announced the first event part of the joint-partnership for June 1st and 2nd, 2024.

"Join us for an electrifying spring kickoff of the 3x3 Clutch,” states Shawn Dheensaw, Executive Director Basketball BC. “We invite teams to register now and experience the thrill of fast-paced, competitive action on the court."

3x3 Clutch Spring is open to U9 to U18 boys and girls, and adults. Registration for the 3x3 Clutch Spring tournament can be made through www.thebandits.ca/3x3-clutch . The June 1st and 2nd tournament will be held at Langley Events Centre and teams are guaranteed at least 5 games. Cost to participate is $140/team for youth and $160/team for adults. Spectators are welcome to attend for free as there will not be an admission fee for spectators.

Participants and spectators are encouraged to attend the Vancouver Bandits’ home game on June 1st vs. Calgary Surge when they tip-off at Langley Events Centre at 7:30 P.M PT.

The sport of 3x3 basketball is a fast-paced rendition of the traditional 5-on-5 game that is played globally; however, it offers various beneficial elements that support the development of a well-rounded basketball player thanks to several rules that increase its speed of play.

3x3 basketball is played in a half-court setting, thus requiring less space to play and also affords each player more opportunities to touch the ball given the reduced amount of players on the court.

Thanks to its surging popularity and global interest in the 3x3 basketball format, the sport was incorporated at the Olympics for the first time at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games. Medalling at 3x3 events helps generate points toward qualification for international tournaments at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and Olympic levels, but hosting domestic tournaments recognized in the FIBA system also drives the accumulation of valuable points toward the ranking of a nation’s men’s and women’s teams .

Supporting last year’s launch of 3x3 Clutch were its co-founding partners; including Sentinel Storage , Kal Tire and BioSteel . More information about 3x3 Clutch can be found at thebandits.ca/3x3clutch where interested players, coaches and event organizers are encouraged to register for future details.

Vancouver Bandits Announce Ransford Brempong as Lead Assistant Coach

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 16:47:50 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that longtime Canadian Senior Men’s National team forward and seasoned international pro, Ransford Brempong, has been announced as its lead assistant coach for its upcoming season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

Brempong played his last year of pro basketball with the Bandits in 2019, averaging 5.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 16.5 minutes played per game over 11 games of action with BC’s pro basketball team.

Since retiring from professional play, Ransford has provided insight and analysis as Vancouver’s colour commentator for its broadcasts from 2021-23.

“Being part of the Vancouver Bandits as a player, broadcaster and now as the club’s lead assistant coach is an honour that I do not take lightly,” Brempong said.

“The organization has high expectations for our roster and I am excited to lend my decades of experience and skills developed at the collegiate, international and national team levels to help our players get better and to achieve success this summer.”

A native of Thornhill, Ont., and a current resident of North Vancouver, B.C., Brempong played at Western Carolina University, where he showcased his defensive prowess over the course of five seasons of NCAA Division I basketball in the Southern Conference between 2000-05. He graduated as both the school and conference’s all-time leader in blocked shots after averaging 7.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game spread over 116 games (81 starts).

Today, his 308 blocks continue to rank tops in school history and second in the conference. Brempong’s decorated collegiate career set the stage for an impressive stretch of six years of European pro basketball spread across top leagues in Germany and the Netherlands.

He earned an all-star nod twice while in the Netherlands, including recognition as its defensive player of the year in 2006 after leading the Dutch league in blocks and rebounds. Bolstering his professional accomplishments are Brempong’s eight years spent suiting up for the red and white as a key cog in Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team program.

While with the national team, Brempong built his relationship with current Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, who prior to coaching also played NCAA Division I basketball in the early 2000s and later starred at the University of Guelph before taking his career overseas. Brempong and Julius frequented various Canadian national team training camps and competitions together.

“Rans brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for the game to our team. He has played at the highest levels and he understands our players and the league. I know what Rans is all about and I am excited to work with and learn from him,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

Today, Brempong continues to give back to the game and is the founder and owner of WCT Hoops, a youth basketball program that develops local players on Vancouver’s North Shore.

The Vancouver Bandits open the club’s sixth season when the club tips off on May 23rd at 7 p.m. for its highly anticipated home opener against the Montréal Alliance.

Exclusive single game tickets for the Bandits’ highly anticipated ‘Home Opener Weekend’ featuring games on Thursday, May 23 and Sunday, May 26 are on sale now at this link .

Vancouver Bandits Announce 2024 Inspiring Bandits Award Recipients

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 21:48:43 GMT

Earlier this month, the Vancouver Bandits announced the recipients of the inaugural Inspiring Bandits Awards.

This new initiative serves as a community-driven program that provides a scholarship and ongoing mentorship to a graduating high school girls and boys student-athlete competing at the BC School Sports Basketball Provincial Championships.

Successful award recipients exhibit on-court offensive statistical excellence, defensive grit and perseverance, strong, positive relationships with peers, parents and coaching staff, a focus on sportsmanship and camaraderie and a commitment or intention to play post-secondary basketball

In addition to a $1,000 scholarship, each recipient will be connected with representatives from the Vancouver Bandits’ coaching and front office staff as part of a continuous mentorship, skill development program throughout their post-secondary career. Enhancing the scholarship is the opportunity for each recipient to attend Bandits practices, as well as regular season CEBL games through the receipt of two Bandits season tickets allocated for each recipient of the scholarship.

Bandits' head coach and general manager Kyle Julius was at the BC School Sports Basketball Provincial Championship finals to present the Inspiring Bandits Award.

The 2024 recipients of the Inspiring Bandits Award are:

Girls: Denise Mendoza, Grade 12, Charles Best Secondary School (Port Coquitlam)
Committed to Douglas College women’s basketball (CCAA)

Boys: Nylan Roberts, Grade 12, Yale Secondary School (Abbotsford)

Vancouver Bandits Re-sign Kur Jongkuch for 2024 CEBL season

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:47:56 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has re-signed 6-foot-9 forward Kur Jongkuch ahead of its upcoming season at Langley Events Centre (LEC), which tips off on May 23rd when BC’s pro basketball team takes on the Montréal Alliance.

Jongkuch made his professional debut with the Bandits last summer after completing a five-year career of NCAA Division I basketball split between Northern Colorado University (2018-22) and Temple University (2022-23).

Throughout nine regular season Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) games, Jongkuch made an impression through his energy and motor, frequently dazzling the crowd by blocking shots, hustling for loose balls or skying above the rim for a dunk. Jongkuch recorded season-highs in minutes played (18), points (nine), rebounds (six) and blocks (two) against Montréal on July 16, 2023. Jongkuch’s strong second half of the season continued as he capped off the campaign with a perfect 3-for-3 shooting performance in a crucial win over the Scarborough Shooting Stars on July 30th, followed by a big game on the glass in the CEBL Western Conference Finals when he hauled in seven rebounds (four offensive).

“This summer will be filled with hard work, passion and amazing basketball. We owe it to the best fans in the league. Go Bandits,” said Jongkuch.

Currently, Jongkuch is playing for Horsens IC in Denmark’s Basketligaen. His club is tied for first place in the league, while Jongkuch ranks first on his team in blocks (1.2), second in rebounds (6.8) and fifth in points (11) per game as of March 13th, 2024.

Born in Juba, South Sudan, Jongkuch grew up in London, Ont., where he starred at London Basketball Academy before making the jump to NCAA Division I. Over the course of his collegiate career, Jongkuch played 151 games (126 starts) and alternated between the centre and power forward positions. He averaged a combined 5.7 points, 5.4 rebounds (1.8 offensive) and 18.9 minutes per game on 62.9 per cent shooting from field goal range between North Colorado and Temple.

“We are fortunate to have Kur back with us for a second summer. Kur's energy and positive attitude are infectious. He makes us a better team and a closer group. He has improved so much from his first day with us last summer. It's a testament to his work ethic and attitude. I can't wait to get back to work with Kur,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

Jongkuch represented the Canadian national team in the summer of 2022 when he suited up for the U-23 men’s program at the inaugural GLOBL Jam tournament. The 220-pound forward appeared in three games for the men’s national team at the event.

Exclusive single game tickets for the Bandits’ highly anticipated ‘Home Opener Weekend’ featuring games on Thursday, May 23 and Sunday, May 26 are on sale now at this link .

New CEBL Draft Format Unveiled for 2024

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:01:59 GMT

Three-round draft in April will select 30 eligible players from U SPORTS, CCAA programs. Bandits hold 4th, 17th and 24th overall draft selections.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that beginning in 2024, the newly rebranded and expanded ‘CEBL Draft’ will serve as the league’s annual entry draft for eligible Canadian U SPORTS and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) student-athletes. Results of the 2024 CEBL Draft will be announced on Thursday, April 11.

The CEBL’s amendments to its roster composition rules in 2024 adds CCAA athletes alongside U SPORTS athletes as eligible developmental players (recognized Canadians with experience as a student-athlete with remaining eligibility). CEBL teams are incentivized to have developmental players on their active roster as up to a maximum of three will not count against a club’s per game active roster salary cap.

The first opportunity for a developmental player to join a CEBL team is via the 2024 CEBL Draft. Beginning this year, the CEBL Draft will expand to three rounds with each club making three selections total (one in each round) of either returning or graduating Canadian post-secondary players. In total, 30 eligible players will be selected. The priority of selection in round one will be in the reverse order of how each team finished the 2023 regular season, and the following rounds will revert to a ‘snake format’ in reverse order of the previous round.

The Vancouver Bandits drafted University of Victoria Vikes guard Diego Maffia and University of British Columbia forward Brian Wallack in 2023 in the first and second rounds, respectively. The Bandits have a history of drafting some of the most decorated talent in Canadian university sports. This lineage includes back-to-back winners of the Mike Moser Trophy, which is annually given to the most valuable player across all of U SPORTS men’s basketball.

Maffia won the Moser trophy earlier this month after a summer of development with the Bandits in 2023. Similarly, former Windsor Lancers forward Thomas Kennedy earned the honour after winning CEBL U SPORTS rookie of the year after being drafted by and playing the summer of 2022 with the Bandits.

The full 2024 CEBL Draft order is as follows:

All developmental players will become free agents at the conclusion of the CEBL season and can maintain eligibility to be selected in the 2025 CEBL Draft and/or sign with a CEBL club and re-enter the league as a developmental player next season.

“Expanding the pool of eligible players for our CEBL Draft to include CCAA talent in addition to U SPORTS ensures that every Canadian post-secondary student-athlete playing basketball across the country has an equal opportunity to be drafted into the CEBL,” said Mike Morreale, Commissioner and Co-Founder of the CEBL. “The rising level of basketball talent in Canada is undeniable, and our partnerships with U SPORTS and CCAA will continue to provide opportunities for student-athletes nationwide.”

All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on TSN+, as well as the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices).

Exclusive single game tickets for the Bandits’ highly anticipated ‘Home Opener Weekend’ featuring games on Thursday, May 23 and Sunday, May 26 are on sale now at this link.

Individuals interested in ticket flexibility or purchasing a bundle of tickets are invited to consider a flex pack or season tickets. More information can be found at thebandits.ca/tickets or by speaking with a Bandits representative by calling (604) 455-8881 or emailing tickets@thebandits.ca.

A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here. More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter.

Vancouver Bandits Join Forces With Basketball BC to Enhance 3x3 Clutch

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 22:44:28 GMT

Bandits align with provincial and national sports organizations to strengthen British Columbia’s 3x3 basketball ecosystem.

The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Monday that it has added another facet to its multi-faceted partnership with Basketball BC by partnering with the provincial sports organization to establish 3x3 Clutch as the official pathway for 3x3 basketball development and competition in British Columbia.

“Building off of Canada Basketball’s partnership with the CEBL is our commitment as BC’s professional basketball team to develop the game of basketball with the respective provincial sport organization in Basketball BC. 3x3 basketball is known for its strong community atmosphere with several games occurring simultaneously. It should be a crucial part of every basketball player’s development – not just for those seeking to elevate their game, but also for those who want to make new friends and meet other athletes,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

3x3 basketball is played in a half-court setting, thus requiring less space to play and also affords each player more opportunities to touch the ball given the reduced amount of players on the court.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Vancouver Bandits for 3x3 Clutch, an initiative set to enhance the changing landscape of basketball in British Columbia. This collaboration signifies our shared commitment to innovation and player development, providing a platform for athletes to showcase their skills in the electrifying realm of 3x3 basketball,” said Basketball BC’s executive director Shawn Dheensaw.

“Together, we aim to elevate the game, foster community engagement and unlock new opportunities for aspiring players across the province. Get ready to embrace the adrenaline and excitement as we embark on this transformative journey together.”

“We are excited for the partnership between Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits on their endeavour to grow and strengthen 3x3 basketball in British Columbia. Not only will 3x3 Clutch help promote the growth, development, and participation for this exciting new discipline, it will further enhance the 3x3 talent pipeline and high-performance pathway as Canada continues to thrive in 3x3 on the international stage. We have no doubt 3x3 Clutch will develop an amazing 3x3 community in BC and further create an amazing basketball experience for all involved for years to come,” said Ron Yeung, Canada Basketball’s head of domestic and 3x3 development.

Supporting last year’s launch of 3x3 Clutch were its co-founding partners; including Sentinel Storage, Kal Tire and BioSteel. More information about 3x3 Clutch can be found at thebandits.ca/3x3clutch where interested players, coaches and event organizers are encouraged to register for future details.

Updates about the next 3x3 Clutch tournament will be announced at a later date.

2024 CEBL on TSN Broadcast Schedule Announced

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:55:34 GMT

TSN coverage features 20 nationally televised games including CEBL playoffs and CW24, with every game of the 2024 CEBL season available on TSN+.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and TSN, Canada’s Sports Leader, announced Wednesday the 2024 CEBL on TSN broadcast schedule that includes live coverage of 20 nationally televised games, culminating with all playoff and Championship Weekend games in August.

TSN’s CEBL coverage tips off with the first game of the 2024 season on Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host provincial rival the Edmonton Stingers at Scotiabank Saddledome. Both games of the Canada Day doubleheader on Monday, July 1 will be featured on TSN, including the Saskatchewan Rattlers visiting the Stingers at Edmonton EXPO Centre at 4 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. ET, followed by the Niagara River Lions travelling to Vancouver to take on the Bandits at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET at Langley Events Centre.

In total, TSN will broadcast 13 CEBL regular season games, and all playoff and 2024 Championship Weekend games on TSN’s national television feeds. In addition, all 107 CEBL games in 2024 will be streamed live on TSN+, the network’s stand-alone digital streaming service. French-language coverage of select Montréal Alliance games on RDS will be announced at a later date.

REGULAR SEASON

*Scotiabank Saddledome

PLAYOFFS

2024 CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND (Montréal, QC)

Vancouver Bandits Announce "Inspiring Bandits Award"

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 19:03:01 GMT

New annual award will recognize one graduating senior girl and senior boys student-athlete.

The Vancouver Bandits revealed Wednesday a new initiative called the ‘Inspiring Bandits Award,’ which will serve as a community-driven program that provides a scholarship and ongoing mentorship to a graduating high school girls and boys student-athlete competing at the BC School Sports Basketball Provincial Championships.

Beginning at this year’s upcoming senior girls (Feb. 28-March 2) and senior boys (March 6-9) provincial tournaments, the award will recognize one senior girl and one senior boy student-athlete who are the top performing players at the annual provincial championships.

In addition to the $1,000 scholarship, each recipient will be connected with representatives from the Vancouver Bandits’ coaching and front office staff as part of a continuous mentorship, skill development program throughout their post-secondary career. Enhancing the scholarship is the opportunity for each recipient to attend Bandits practices, as well as regular season CEBL games through the receipt of two Bandits season tickets allocated for each recipient of the scholarship.

Recipients of the award will be chosen by a panel and are dedicated leaders on and off the court. They exemplify what it means to be a committed member of a team. They lead by example by inspiring their peers, excelling on the court, and treating coaches, parents, officials and teammates with gratitude and respect.

A successful award recipient will exhibit:

On-court offensive statistical excellence
Defensive grit and perseverance
Strong, positive relationships with peers, parents and coaching staff
A focus on sportsmanship and camaraderie
A commitment or intention to play post-secondary basketball

The Vancouver Bandits wish good luck to all teams participating at the BC School Sports Basketball Provincial Championships.

Quotes:

“The friendships that I built and the experiences that I enjoyed playing high school basketball are some of my favourite memories. This award symbolizes the Bandits’ ongoing commitment to recognizing student-athletes who lead by example and who play with an inspiring spirit. This scholarship will support the next generation of leaders who will elevate our communities.”

Kevin Dhaliwal, Co-owner, Vancouver Bandits

“Basketball brings people together and the provincial championships are no exception. We are pleased to reveal an award that will become an annual fixture that honours girls and boys student-athletes who are making a difference and who we are excited to connect with as they take steps toward furthering their athletic and academic careers.”

Bryan Slusarchuk, Co-owner, Vancouver Bandits

Vancouver Bandits Sign James Karnik for 2024 CEBL season

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 17:45:00 GMT

After suffering an injury that sidelined him in 2023, Karnik is set to resume his promising career with BC’s professional basketball team.

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed 6-foot-9 power forward James Karnik ahead of its upcoming season at Langley Events Centre (LEC), tipping off May 23rd.

A product of Surrey, B.C., Karnik made his professional debut with the Bandits in 2022 after graduating from renowned NCAA Division I powerhouse, Boston College, where he started 35 out of a possible 47 games in the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference that includes the likes of Duke, Syracuse and the University of North Carolina.

Karnik made an immediate impact for the Bandits, averaging 25.7 minutes, 15.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 52.2 per cent and 32 per cent from field goal and three-point range, respectively, over the course of 10 regular season games played. He joined the club midway through the 2022 campaign and ranked second on the Bandits in scoring and rebounds per game.

“Making my professional debut with my hometown team in front of family and friends was pretty special in 2022. Now, as I make my comeback from an injury that negated my 2023 season, I can’t wait to show off the work that I put in the offseason to come back better and stronger, as well as reaching my high expectations for the team and my personal goals,” Karnik said.

“I know it will be an electric atmosphere at LEC and I am excited to play in front of the amazing fans.”

Season tickets as well as flex packs are currently on sale for the Bandits’ sixth CEBL campaign and are available for purchase at this link . Single game tickets are expected to go on sale later this spring.

Fans will get their first opportunity to watch the Bandits on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver opens its season at home versus the Montréal Alliance at Langley Events Centre.

Growing up in B.C., Karnik played local hoops at both Earl Marriott Secondary (Surrey) and B.C. Christian Academy (Port Coquitlam) before wrapping up his high school career at Orangeville Prep in Ontario, the alma mater of current Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray and other recent NBA draft selections.

Following a strong summer with the Bandits, Karnik took his talents overseas, suiting up for Lions de Genève in the Swiss Basketball League (SBL) and Basket Brno in the Czech Republic’s National Basketball League (NBL) during the 2022-23 season.

A member of the national Czech national team, Karnik also represented the formidable European power at the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers where he suited up in two games and averaged 5.5 points and three rebounds per game in contests against France and Montenegro.

Prior to embarking upon a professional career, Karnik played five seasons of NCAA D1 split between Lehigh University (2017-20) and Boston College (2020-2022).

Karnik improved his points, rebounds and blocks per game averages in each of his three seasons with the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. Karnik averaged 12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and one block per game in 2019-20. His stellar play in the Patriot League during his time at Lehigh triggered the interest of the Boston College Eagles, who recruited Karnik for his final two seasons of college basketball in the highly competitive Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Karnik started 31 out of 33 games for the Eagles in 2021-22 and averaged 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds on 55.8 and 73.2 per cent shooting from the field and free throw line, respectively. In 2022, he ranked among the ACC’s top 10 in two-point field goal percentage (61.5), offensive rebounds (70) and offensive rebound percentage (10.5).

Evidence of Karnik’s growing offensive repertoire became apparent in 2021-22. He scored 15 or more points in nine out of 33 games and scored a career high 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting against Virginia Tech on Jan. 22, 2022 .

“James is a powerful addition to our roster. He is a versatile big man who can step out and make threes. His toughness and energy enhance our culture and we think he will be a major force alongside Nick Ward,” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said.

Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2024 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca . A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Partner With White Canvas Design Agency and Hercourt to Launch ‘Run the Court’ T-Shirt and ‘Ocean’ Shorts

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:04:13 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced two merchandise collaborations on Monday in partnership with White Canvas Design Agency and Hercourt to celebrate the success and prowess of women’s basketball players across British Columbia.

The t-shirts designed by White Canvas Design Agency and shorts designed by Hercourt, respectively, are on sale now and are available for purchase online or at the Bandits’ team store located at ATO Basketball Merchants on the outdoor plaza at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

Click here to purchase t-shirt: https://www.atobball.com/products/vancouver-bandits-run-the-court-t-shirt

Click here to purchase shorts: https://www.atobball.com/products/vancouver-bandits-x-hercourt-oceans-short

Together with White Canvas Design Agency, an award-winning and women-led business based in Langley, the Bandits launched its ‘Run the Court’ t-shirt to commemorate the start of the B.C. School Sports Basketball Provincial Championships, which annually welcome more than 100 combined girls teams to the Lower Mainland as part of the junior girls and senior girls tournaments.

The t-shirt features designs on the front and back that create a sense of empowerment and pride by using imagery to embody basketball’s significance as an inspirational platform for pursuing one’s dreams on and off the court.

“Supporting women and girls in sport in our local community is something we hold close to our hearts. We are honoured to partner with the Vancouver Bandits on their 2024 women’s basketball game as both a sponsor and designer of the special edition t-shirt. As a team of women, we know firsthand what it takes to come together as individuals and a collective,” said Carly Moir, CEO and founder of White Canvas Design Agency.

“No matter what your sport or passion is, when we lift each other up as women, it becomes so much more than just a game. Our hope is that you feel proud, empowered and inspired when wearing this shirt, both on and off the court.”

The t-shirt incorporates subtle nods to British Columbia’s basketball community, which continues to provide steady contributions to Canada’s women’s national basketball program, as well as bold letters and messaging that personify how basketball is ‘More Than A Game.’

Complementing the t-shirt is the Bandits’ partnered apparel with Hercourt, a women’s basketball lifestyle company founded by former B.C. junior and senior girls provincial champion and former NCAA Division I basketball star Elle Kerfoot. The ‘Ocean Short’ uses an aquatic aesthetic to convey a sense of movement and the beauty of the Pacific Ocean.

Wearing the exciting new merchandise in today’s launch published to the Bandits’ website and social media pages are two promising high school basketball players, Demicah Arnaldo and Alyssia Palma. Arnaldo and Palma attend St. Thomas More Collegiate and Holy Cross Regional High School, respectively, and played together on the Philippines national team at the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship hosted in Jordan last summer.

Further cementing White Canvas’ support of women’s basketball is its sponsorship of the Bandits’ third annual Girls and Women in Sports Game, which takes place on Sunday, May 26, 2024, versus the defending CEBL champions, the Scarborough Shooting Stars, at LEC.

Season tickets as well as flex packs are currently on sale for the Bandits’ sixth CEBL campaign and are available for purchase at this link .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Announce Third Annual BC Basketball Festival

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 22:26:52 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that it is hosting an expanded format of the third annual BC Basketball Festival this summer at Langley Events Centre (LEC) across the weekends of June 13-16 and June 21-23.

Festival festivities will span the two weekends and its broadened scope is a direct response to accommodate the popularity of its boys and girls tournaments, as well as its officials development camp.

A complete overview of the event can be found at this link . The boys tournament will take place Friday, June 14th to Sunday, June 16th, as well as the girls tournament taking place Friday, June 21st to Sunday, June 23rd.

Registration for each tournament ( boys and girls ) is now live. Tournament games will be played at Langley Events Centre, as well as gymnasiums throughout Langley and Surrey.

Participants in either tournament will have an opportunity to purchase tickets to the Bandits game taking place the weekend of each respective tournament; in particular, on Saturday, June 15 versus the Saskatchewan Rattlers for Basketball Legacy Night and Sunday, June 22nd against the Ottawa BlackJacks for Indigenous Celebration Night.

Further adding to the festivities of the event is the Canada West Officials Development Camp , which welcomes 85 young officials from across western Canada to learn and develop their officiating skills. The camp will be hosted over the weekends of June 13-16 and June 21-23.

Members of the Vancouver Bandits’ coaching staff will play a key role in the BC Basketball Festival. On Saturday, June 22, Bandits coaches in collaboration with representatives from the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council ( I·SPARC ) will lead a free to attend basketball camp for Indigenous youth as part of the club’s ongoing commitment to the Indigenous Basketball Collective .

Roundball will also be supporting the event for the third consecutive year. The BC Men’s Basketball Championship powered by Roundball will take place the first weekend of the BC Basketball Festival and will feature competitive and elite divisions for up to 16 teams. Registration is now live at this link .

“The event has grown this year to encompass two Bandits game days and an enhanced outdoor festival component. We are grateful for the support of our partners who continue to enrich our fanbase through their connections and inform us of the various new ways that we can contribute to British Columbia’s fervent basketball community.”

Fans will get their first opportunity to watch the Bandits on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver opens its season at home when the Montréal Alliance visit Langley Events Centre.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Re-sign Duane Notice

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 17:48:09 GMT

Notice led the Bandits in game-winning baskets in 2023 and earned team defensive player of the year honours for his efforts as a two-way player.

The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that the club has re-signed a core member of its roster by inking seasoned Team Canada guard and 2023 team defensive player of the year Duane Notice.

Notice averaged 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 25.0 minutes per game while nailing 40.6 per cent of his three-point attempts to lead all Vancouver players in accuracy from long-range and to also rank among the top 10 marksmen in the entire CEBL last summer.

Thanks to his late-game heroics, Notice quickly became a fan favourite with Vancouver. He scored three target score game winners in just his first season with the club, which ties him for fourth all-time among Bandits players. Notice converted his game winners against Niagara (June 10), Calgary (June 14) and Ottawa (July 27), respectively.

After scoring in double figures once through the first half of the 2023 CEBL season, Notice heated up to score in double figures three times in the final eight games of Vancouver’s campaign; including a season-high outburst in scoring against Winnipeg on July 23 when he tallied 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting from three-point distance.

“Vancouver! We have unfinished business. I am happy to be back out west with the Bandits family and give my all on court for the best fans in the CEBL,” Notice said.

Hailing from Toronto, Ont., Notice is a prominent name in the Canadian basketball scene and previously played in the CEBL for the Brampton Honey Badgers (formerly known as Hamilton) in 2019 and 2020. Over his two years with the Honey Badgers, Notice averaged 29.7 minutes, 13.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game.

Prior to the Honey Badgers, Notice spent two seasons and played 80 games with the Toronto Raptors’ NBA G League affiliate, the Raptors 905, between 2018-2020. In 2018-19 with the 905, Notice averaged 10 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game on 38.5 per cent shooting from three-point range.

Notice has represented Team Canada at six different tournaments and has played a combined total of 30 international games throughout his career, both as a member of the junior men’s and senior men’s national teams.

Known as a two-way player, Notice suited up for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks from 2013-17 and is the school’s all-time leader in games played with 138. Over the course of five collegiate seasons in the SEC, Notice averaged 28.9 minutes, 10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game on 36.6 per cent shooting from three-point distance.

Notice’s selfless play was recognized during the 2015-16 season when he was named the SEC’s sixth man of the year. In 2017 Notice garnered further accolades when he helped lead the Gamecocks to the NCAA Tournament Final Four.

“Duane means so much to our organization and our culture. His consistent effort to put the team first combined with his toughness and resiliency is very special to us. Duane was our most efficient player on both sides of the ball last year and we are truly grateful that he is back with us as one of our leaders and captains,” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said.

Fans will get their first opportunity to watch the Bandits on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver opens its season at home when the Montréal Alliance visit Langley Events Centre.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Sign Koby McEwen

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 17:44:54 GMT

Decorated champion and NCAA all-star brings international and NBA G League experience to BC’s professional basketball team.

The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday that the club has signed 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) champion Koby McEwen for the club’s upcoming season of professional basketball at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

The 2024 campaign will be McEwen’s third year in the CEBL after spending his previous two seasons with the Brampton Honey Badgers.

The 26-year-old native from Toronto, Ont. departs Brampton as the franchise’s all-time leader in minutes played (1123) and assists (155). McEwen ranked first on the Honey Badgers in minutes played (31.9 per game) as well as assists per game (5.4) last season. His 13.7 points per game placed him second in scoring behind only Christian Vital, whom McEwen won a CEBL championship alongside in 2022. To cap off a strong 2022 season, McEwen also took home CEBL Sixth Man of the Year honours.

"I am excited to be joining an organization with the potential to do so many great things in this league. We have an opportunity to bring a championship to this city and to the fans who support us throughout the season. I am excited to embark on this new journey with the Bandits and work tirelessly to contribute to winning. I’m all in!" McEwen said.

Although just two years into his young professional career, McEwen has developed a reputation as a reliable scorer and clutch performer who is capable of making his teammates better. In the 2022 CEBL championship game he scored 16 points in just 24 minutes played; including three three-pointers.

Fast forward to 2023 and McEwen continued to establish himself as one of the CEBL’s premier guards, nailing 82 per cent of his attempts from the free throw line, which placed him first in the CEBL among eligible players.

A 6-foot-4 combo guard, his strong play in the CEBL has set the stage for an impressive international career; including stints with Norrk ö ping (Sweden) in the prestigious FIBA Europe Cup and his current club GTK Gliwice in Poland.

McEwen has also represented Canada on the international stage, suiting up for the red and white at both the FIBA U16 Americas Championship in 2013 and FIBA U17 World Cup in 2014.

Further enhancing McEwen’s solid resumé is his tenure of success in North America. McEwen starred at Utah State University for two seasons before transferring to Marquette University. McEwen wrapped up five years of NCAA Division I basketball at Weber State in 2021-22 where he was named 2022 Big Sky Newcomer of the Year and earned first-team All-Big Sky honours after finishing fourth in the conference in scoring with 18.2 points per game.

After graduating from Weber State in 2022 and beginning his professional career in 2022-23, McEwen culminated a strong pro rookie season by playing for his hometown Raptors 905, the NBA G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors. He played in seven games and scored a season-high 13 points on 4-for-6 shooting on March 25, 2023, versus the Greensboro Swarm.

“Koby was one of the top Canadian free agents in our league. Koby embodies our culture and the way we want to play. He is a two-way threat and someone we have targeted the past three years. I can't wait to have him join our family and enhance our culture,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

Fans will get their first opportunity to watch the Bandits on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver opens its season at home when the Montréal Alliance visit Langley Events Centre.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Bandits BC Player of the Week Presented by A&W Canada: February 16, 2024

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 18:04:12 GMT

As British Columbia's professional basketball team, the Vancouver Bandits are excited to celebrate young student-athletes across our province who are achieving success on and off the court. These are the BC Players of the Week presented by A&W Canada and the Vancouver Bandits for the week preceding February 16, 2024.

Alex Stoddard : Junior Girls, Abbotsford Christian School

“In one of our final playoff games, Alex scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. She was a huge part of our team’s relatively successful season. Alex is also a multi-sport athlete, excelling not only in basketball but in water polo at the national level. On top of her daily practice and game schedule, Alex also manages to be successful in academics.” -Tym Berger, coach

Lucas Kosa : Senior Boys, Delta Secondary

“At a recent game, Lucas broke a Delta Secondary School basketball record scoring 75 points in a single game.” -Kayla Jow, athletic director

They will each receive a prize pack courtesy of the Vancouver Bandits and A&W Canada. To learn how you can nominate a local middle or secondary school student-athlete, follow this link for full details.

Vancouver Bandits Re-Sign Team MVP Nick Ward

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 17:47:05 GMT

Ward is currently starring for the Metropolitans 92 in France’s LNB Pro A, one of the top professional leagues around the globe and the former home of NBA phenom Victor Wembanyama.

The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has re-signed its 2023 “Team MVP” and fan favourite, Nick Ward.

The 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season will be Ward’s second consecutive season with the Bandits.

Following his first year with the Bandits last summer, Ward has brought his talents to three clubs, suiting up for Sigal Prishtina in Kosovo and BC Gargzdai in Lithuania before later signing with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A French League.

Additional stops in his decorated international career include NBA Summer League (Atlanta Hawks, 2019), NBA G League (College Park Skyhawks, 2019-20), as well as clubs in Bahrain, Spain and Turkey.

Fans of the international basketball season will recognize Metropolitans 92 as the former club of current NBA rookie sensation and 2023 NBA first overall draft selection, Victor Wembanyama, who hails from France.

A 6-foot-9 forward from Gahanna, Ohio, Ward averaged a team-high 18.5 points and 7.9 rebounds (second on the team) through 19 regular season games with the Bandits last summer. Among CEBL leaders, Ward’s field goal percentage and offensive rebounding prowess ranked him first and fourth among the league’s top players.

In recognition of his stellar 2023 campaign, the Bandits named Ward the club’s “Team MVP” and “Offensive Player of the Year'' as part of the organization’s annual team awards proceedings.

"I am excited to return to Vancouver this summer to run it back with the Bandits family. We are building something special on the court and in the community. I can't wait to pick up where we left off in our quest to win a CEBL championship," Ward said.

2024 will be Ward’s third season in the CEBL after previously playing for the Ottawa BlackJacks in 2021, where he was named a member of the All-CEBL First Team after leading the team in both points (17.3) and rebounds (9.1) per game.

During three seasons of NCAA Division I basketball at Michigan State University from 2016-19, Ward averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game on 60.5 per cent shooting from field goal range. Ward’s field goal percentage ranks him third all-time among Big Ten Conference men’s basketball players. In 2018-19, he was named an All-Big Ten third-team selection and led the Spartans to an NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance.

“Nick is an extremely unique player and a great guy to be around and work with. He was one of the most efficient players in our league and consistently forced other teams to adjust their match-ups and game plans to deal with him. He draws double teams and produces at a high level,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

“Nick let me push and challenge him. Because of his positive attitude, he consistently improved as the season went on.”

Fans will get their first opportunity to watch Ward and the Bandits on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. PT when Vancouver opens its sixth CEBL season at home when the Montréal Alliance visit Langley Events Centre.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Bandits BC Player of the Week Presented by A&W Canada: February 9, 2024

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 17:15:00 GMT

Severin Jackson : Senior Girls, Collingwood School (West Vancouver)

"Severin is a consistent leader on our team. She brings poise and determination every play of every game. She is a leader for our grade 10 players and regularly encourages the younger team members during our skills and snacks sessions. Additionally, she is a straight A student and is the co-founder of our school's film club, teaching younger students the ins and outs of film production. Her quiet leadership will be missed when she graduates!" -Morgan McLaughlin, coach

Jayden Yee : Grade 9 Boys, New Westminster Secondary

" Jayden is a very dedicated student-athlete and a good role model for younger athletes. He earns every minute of playing time through his work ethic, determination, commitment to improvement, and coachability. He also dedicates time in the community as a way of giving back. For instance, he has volunteered as a youth coach at the New Westminster Police soccer camps in past summers, where his encouraging nature was helpful to the program and young participants alike." - Francis Yee, coach

Vancouver Bandits Team Up With Westland Insurance and S.A.Y Health & Community Centre to Host Basketball Camp for Indigenous Youth in Fraser Valley

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:54:24 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits partnered with Westland Insurance , ISPARC and The'í:tselíya - S.A.Y. Health & Community Centre to host a free youth basketball camp at Skowkale First Nation in Chilliwack.

The camp took place on January 13th and was open to boys and girls. More than 60 Indigenous youth from communities in Chilliwack to Pemberton participated in the free-to-attend event that featured two instructional skills sessions led by Bandits team president Dylan Kular and Bandits head coach Kyle Julius.

Multiple volunteers from Westland Insurance were in attendance to support the camp and help Kular and Julius run drills and activities with the youth and coaches.

“It was a privilege to host this free basketball camp for Indigenous youth in partnership with the Vancouver Bandits, ISPARC, and The’í:tselíya - S.A.Y. Health & Community Centre,” says Cari Watson, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Client Experience for Westland Insurance. “Basketball is an engaging sport that can help youth develop teamwork and confidence. Hosting the camp has been a rewarding volunteerism initiative for our branches and a natural collaboration in alignment with Westland’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

The camp is the latest instalment in Westland Insurance’s commitment toward enhancing the Bandits’ community projects. Since 2022, Westland has sponsored the annual Indigenous youth basketball camp hosted by the Bandits as part of the club’s ongoing partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I∙SPARC). The partnership is showcased each summer at the BC Basketball Festival when more than 50 Indigenous youth come to Langley Events Centre for fundamental basketball instruction hosted by the Bandits and I∙SPARC coaching staff and at the annual Indigenous Celebration Night at a Vancouver Bandits’ home game.

Since 2022, the goal of the Collective has been to create increased opportunities for Indigenous players, coaches and others involved in basketball to participate in training camps, competitions, workshops and more. The camp is the third camp since Westland Insurance has partnered with the Vancouver Bandits on the Collective.

“According to I∙SPARC, the Fraser Valley generally has lower basketball registrations in their programming relative to other regions in the province. What we learned from this camp is there is a group of people from various Nations in the region who have interest in collaborating to grow the game of basketball. We are grateful for the chance to be invited to Skowkale First Nation to connect with young and aspiring basketball players by creating an opportunity to play with their peers and learn new skills from our Bandits head coach, Kyle Julius,” Bandits team president Dylan Kular said.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Bandits BC Player of the Week Presented by A&W Canada: February 2, 2024

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 19:32:32 GMT

Arielle Tuazon-Cabido : Senior Girls, Hugh Boyd Secondary (Richmond)

"Arielle works hard on and off the court. She isn't the tallest player but she has the most heart. She deserves recognition for her dedication and love for the game." -Jennifer Hayden, teacher sponsor

Munroop Gill : Senior Boys, Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary (Surrey)

"We have seen Munroop's work ethic & dedication since he came to the school, & I believe everyone is seeing the results now. He has placed himself in the conversation with the best players in BC, if not the best. I'm very proud of him." - Paris Sahi, coach

Vancouver Bandits Open 2024 Free Agency in Advance of Sixth CEBL Season

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:49:39 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C., February 1, 2024 – The Vancouver Bandits and Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have announced the opening of the 2024 Free Agency period, starting at 9:00 a.m. PT on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.

As BC’s professional basketball team inches closer to its sixth CEBL season, tipping off on Thursday, May 23 at Langley Events Centre, 2024 Free Agency serves as a key opportunity to re-tool and gather talent in advance of the upcoming campaign amidst high expectations.

“We are all excited to get free agency under way. We will continue to build a roster full of toughness, grit and high energy,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “We are poised to have a great summer and we can't wait to get back on the court.”

Below is a breakdown on some of the specifics of the 2024 CEBL Free Agency period:

Free agency officially commences for all CEBL teams at 9:00 a.m. PT on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 .
Free agency officially closes for each CEBL team 24 hours prior to their 16th game of the regular season.
The Vancouver Bandits’ transaction deadline is at 5:30 p.m. PT on Friday, July 12, 2024.
Players added to their club’s protected list at the end of the 2023 season are protected from contact with any other club until 9:01 p.m. PT on Friday, March 1, 2024, and only if not signed by that date.
Free agent players may have contact with the teams in advance of March 1, 2024, provided no players on any teams’ protected list are contacted in any way. The Bandits’ protected list is below:
Doug Herring, Duane Notice, Jahenns Manigat, Kur Jongkuch, Nick Ward
Starting February 1, up until the league wide training camp cutdown date of May 9, all CEBL teams are allowed a maximum of 23 contracts at any given time.
On Friday, May 10, 2024, all teams will cut down to the training camp roster maximum of 16 players plus a list of signed players that will be joining their respective teams at the conclusion of their international teams schedule.
All teams will cut down to their final rosters of 14 players just prior to a team's first regular season game.
There is a maximum of eight player transactions allowed per team during the regular season
Team active rosters must have a minimum of six Canadian players and a maximum of three American players

Season tickets and flex packs for the sixth season of Bandits Basketball are available for purchase at this link . A complete CEBL regular season schedule is expected to be announced this winter.

Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2024 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Bandits and Basketball BC host coaching clinic at Langley Events Centre for coaches across B.C.

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 19:26:13 GMT

Over 70 coaches from British Columbia attended an instructional session at the Langley Events Centre, led by some of Canada’s most decorated coaches.

Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, and Canada Basketball Women’s National Team coaching alumni Allison McNeill and Mike McNeill headed the three hour event, which promoted teaching for coaches and to connect local coaches with professional, Olympic and collegiate-experienced coaches.

Julius and the McNeills showcased drills and offered advice for coaches across all levels of basketball.

“We had an excellent experience. Allison and Mike did an amazing job of covering the game from all aspects,” said Julius.

Allison and Mike are former college head coaches, coaching at Simon Fraser University and the University of Oregon.

The two joined Oregon’s women’s coaching staff from 2001 to 2005, leading the Ducks to an NCAA tournament berth in 2005.

Allison and Mike joined the Canadian Senior Women's National Team from 2001 to 2015 as head coach and assistant coach, respectively, guiding the team to its first appearance at the 2012 London Olympic Games since 2000 where they advancing to the quarterfinals, equalling the best performance by the Canadian women’s national basketball team Allison was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

The experience and lessons provided were well received by local coaches who are hoping to enhance their teams. Teams also attended the clinic with their coaches to implement the drills.

“My goal is to take these drills, and have [my players] executing it at such a high level by the time they're in grade 12,” said one coach who attended.

The Bandits, along with Basketball BC, remain committed to the ongoing development of basketball at all levels. From coaches to players to officials, the Bandits continue to further the growth of basketball in B.C. throughout the year.

Vancouver Bandits and Langley Schools Host 2nd Annual Langley Schools Play Day at Langley Events Centre

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 21:00:32 GMT

Langley, BC – The Vancouver Bandits and Langley School District host the 2nd annual Langley Schools Play Day at Langley Events Centre (LEC) for grades 5 to 7 boys and girls basketball teams from the Langley School District.

The Langley Schools Play Day is a free basketball event for Langley School District elementary and middle schools providing each grade 7 team with two games at LEC. Last year the Vancouver Bandits and Langley School District hosted 13 schools and a total of 30 teams whereas this year’s 2nd annual event will welcome 16 schools and a total of 34 teams.

The school roster includes Alex Hope, Alice Brown, Belmont, Betty Gilbert, Coghlan Fundamental, Dorothy Peacock, Fort Langley, Glenwood, Gordon Greenwood, HD Stafford, James Kennedy, Langley Fundamental, North Otter, Peter Ewart, Peterson Road and Yorkson Creek.

“The District’s athletics mission is to inspire all athletes to reach their full potential and to create a lasting legacy for the future,” said Mal Gill, Superintendent of the Langley School District. “We are grateful to our partners, the Vancouver Bandits and the Township of Langley, for providing this unique learning opportunity for our students, and we see it as a way for them to demonstrate our values of community, courage, integrity, and excellence outside of the classroom.”

The purpose of the event is to bring the Langley community together to Langley Events Centre for a free-to-play event. Many youth and families in the community do not get the opportunity to play at LEC so this event welcomes youth and families from across Langley School District to the LEC to play and connect with each other. The event is co-hosted between Vancouver Bandits Professional Basketball Club and Langley School District and is supported by Township Fire, RCMP Langley, Otter Co-op, Langley Events Centre and Trinity Western University Spartans Basketball.

“There is a thriving basketball ecosystem in Langley and we are grateful for our partnership with Langley Schools to connect with aspiring basketball players and coaches by returning Langley Schools Play Day to the community. An event such as Langley Schools Play Day brings the community together while also providing an experience that is not common for students in grades 5 to 7. After a successful inaugural event in 2023 it was important for myself and Vancouver Bandits to work with our community stakeholders to return this event for its second year,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Bandits BC Player of the Week Presented by A&W Canada: January 26, 2024

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 20:28:12 GMT

Bobby Raye Farrow : Senior Girls, Barriere Secondary

"Bobby Raye is a hard working and dedicated athlete who plays with a high level of intelligence and is a dominant force on both ends of the court. However, Bobby Raye is not just leader on the Barriere Secondary Sr. Girls team, she helps coach the Jr. Girls team and has taken on the head coaching role for the grade 5/6 Boys team at Barriere Elementary where she coaches 20 athletes. We are beyond fortunate to have an athlete like Bobby Raye playing for our school and developing the future of our teams." -Rachael Bowser, coach

Ixara Forstbauer : Junior Boys, Sardis Secondary (Chilliwack)

"Ixara has began his high school career with a determination and passion to get in the gym and get better. He has led the Sardis Grade 9 Boys team to a 17-4 record so far this year, and led the team in most statistical categories. Along with being a committed player, Ixara has shown a high result in the classroom while being in the Sardis French Immersion Program. This 6'2" Guard/Forward has a huge upside and will be a big presence for Sardis Basketball in the coming years" - Kyle Graves, athletic director

Provincial Coaches Clinic Featuring: Kyle Julius, Allison & Mike McNeill

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 17:29:18 GMT

A provincial coaches clinic co-hosted by the Vancouver Bandits and Basketball BC featuring Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius and Canada Basketball coaching alumni Allison and Mike McNeill.

Please watch a full video recap of the event by clicking above or scroll to the desired chapter by hovering your cursor over the video timeline. A breakdown of chapters from the coaching clinic has been included below for reference.

0:00:00 - Allison McNeill and Mike McNeill Introductions

0:01:56 - Warmup

0:11:38 - Individual Shooting Drills

0:26:49 - Inside/Outside Drill

0:39:20 - Post Drill

0:42:42 - Perimeter Iso Drill

0:55:05 - Passing Drill

0:59:54 - 2x2x2 Drill

1:06:09 - 1-on-1 building up to 4-on-4 drills

1:18:57 - Spacing Drills

1:23:45 - Allison McNeill and Mike McNeill Closing Remarks

1:26:43 - Kyle Julius Introduction

1:43:31 - Power Spots/Spacing Drills

1:52:15 - Transition Drills

1:59:27 - Offence Drills

2:02:14 - Flair Slip Offence

2:11:25 - Motion Pin Offence

2:17:33 - Late Clock Offence

2:22:49 - Kyle Julius Closing Remarks

Vancouver Bandits Announce Regular Season Schedule for Sixth Canadian Elite Basketball Season

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 17:45:36 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C. , January 23, 2024 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Tuesday the club’s 2024 regular season schedule, a 20-game slate that will see the club open its sixth Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season on Thursday, May 23 against the Montréal Alliance at 7 p.m. PT.

This will be the Bandits’ third season at Langley Events Centre (LEC). The club has qualified for the postseason in each of the past four years dating back to 2020 when Vancouver advanced to the championship finals before ultimately falling short against Edmonton.

With its status as a perennial playoff contender, BC’s professional basketball team is aiming to ascend to even higher heights this upcoming year.

The Bandits’ full season schedule can be accessed by clicking here .

“Each season we are grateful to welcome fans new and old to our stands to join us in tipping off a new campaign. Our fans are some of the most dedicated in all of Canadian professional sports and we can’t wait to see the energy and passion that they bring to our game days this upcoming season,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

Flex packs available in bundles of eight and 12 tickets, as well as season tickets are on sale now.

Seating availability for the highly anticipated campaign are going fast but fans interested in purchasing flex packs can do so by clicking here .

A cost-effective and customer-friendly option, flex packs start as low as $18 per ticket and are available for purchase throughout the LEC seating bowl in the baseline corner, corner, orange, navy and premium sections. For example, fans can use a 12 ticket flex pack to redeem a pair of tickets to six games or six tickets for two different games.

Alternatively, fans not wanting to miss a minute of the edge of your seat action can lock in their season tickets by requesting to buy season tickets at this link . By completing the form, a Bandits representative will reach out directly to help choose a preferred seating location and complete the transaction.

Fans wishing to learn more about tickets or speak with a Bandits sales and service representative are encouraged to call (604) 455-8881, email tickets@thebandits.ca or visit thebandits.ca/tickets .

“We are all very excited to get back on the court this summer as we chase redemption. We are going to be more exciting, faster and tougher this season! We are dedicating this year to our amazing fans and we can't wait to play again at LEC and make some serious noise in the CEBL,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

2024 marks the first time that the Bandits will tip-off home games in May since the team’s inaugural season in 2019. The club will open against Montréal on May 23rd and will follow up its home opener by hosting the defending CEBL champions, the Scarborough Shooting Stars, at 4 p.m. PT on Sunday, May 26 as part of Scarborough’s first visit to LEC since the 2022 season.

It is all part of an exciting home opening weekend that promises to deliver hoops fans an awesome debut to the new CEBL season.

New for the Bandits’ 2024 season is the addition of a preseason game that will be played at Langley Events Centre on Thursday, May 16 against an opponent to be announced. This game will be the Bandits’ third annual School Day Game, which last year welcomed 31 schools from across the Lower Mainland and saw more than 4,000 students fill the stands at LEC.

School leaders interested in learning more about the School Day Game or organizing attendance at the event are kindly asked to contact team president Dylan Kular at dkular@thebandits.ca .

A limited number of tickets in select seating sections will be available for this special preseason game. Bandits season ticket holders are kindly invited to check their inboxes for seat availability. An exclusive number of tickets will be made available to the general public and will be announced at a later date. To register your interest for School Day Game tickets, please fill out this form.

Adding to the excitement of Vancouver’s schedule launch is the reveal of its theme games for the 2024 season, which features a collection of returning fan favourites as well as new dates to look forward to. A full list of 2024 theme games can be found below.

Vancouver Bandits 2024 CEBL season schedule and theme games:

*Note: All times PT | Home dates are in bold

Preseason School Day Game: Thursday, May 16, 2024 vs. Opponent to be Announced | 11 a.m. at Langley Events Centre
Presented by Sentinel Storage and Headlands Environmental
Home Opener: Thursday, May 23, 2024 vs. Montréal | 7:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Presented by BC Building Trades
Sunday, May 26, 2024 vs. Scarborough | 4:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Girls & Women in Sports Game
Thursday, May 30, 2024 at Saskatchewan | 6:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre
Saturday, June 1, 2024 vs. Calgary | 7:30 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
South Asian Heritage Game
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at Edmonton | 6:00 p.m. at Flair Airlines Hangar at Edmonton Expo Centre
Friday, June 7, 2024 at Calgary | 6:00 p.m. at WinSport Event Centre
Thursday, June 13, 2024 vs. Winnipeg | 7:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Saturday, June 15, 2024 vs. Saskatchewan | 7:30 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Basketball Legacy Game presented by Guildford Town Centre
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 vs. Winnipeg | 5:00 p.m. at Canada Life Centre
Saturday, June 22, 2024 vs. Ottawa | 7:30 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Indigenous Celebration Game
Saturday, June 29, 2024 vs. Edmonton | 7:30 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Filipino Heritage Game
Monday, July 1, 2024 vs. Niagara | 4:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Canada Day Game
Friday, July 5, 2024 at Edmonton | 6:00 p.m. at Flair Airlines Hangar at Edmonton Expo Centre
Sunday, July 7, 2024 vs. Saskatchewan | 4:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Hometown Hoops & Heroes Game presented by PerfectLens
Thursday, July 11, 2024 at Calgary | 6:00 p.m. at WinSport Event Centre
Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Winnipeg | 5:30 p.m. at Canada Life Centre
Thursday, July 18, 2024 vs. Winnipeg | 7:00 p.m. at Langley Events Centre
Fan Appreciation Game
Thursday, July 25, 2024 at Brampton | 4:30 p.m. at CAA Centre
Friday, July 26, 2024 at Scarborough | 5:00 p.m. at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre
Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Montréal | 1 p.m. at Verdun Auditorium

Highlights of the 2024 Vancouver Bandits schedule include:

The Bandits’ longest home stand stretches from June 22 to July 1 (Canada Day) when it plays three games against the Ottawa BlackJacks, Edmonton Stingers and Niagara River Lions, respectively
Vancouver’s longest road trip arrives at the end of the regular season when it completes an eastern conference swing between July 25-28 against the Brampton Honey Badgers, Scarborough Shooting Stars and Montréal Alliance, respectively
The 2024 edition of the Bandits’ schedule will see the club play three regular season home games in May, eight in June and nine in July
The Bandits will play each of its nine CEBL rivals at least once over the course of the 20-game campaign
The Bandits will play 13 games against western conference opponents; including four against the Winnipeg Sea Bears and three each against the Calgary Surge, Edmonton Stingers and the Saskatchewan Rattlers, respectively
How sweet it is: Vancouver will have an opportunity to avenge last season’s heartbreaking western conference finals loss against the Calgary Surge on Saturday, June 1. It will be the first of three meetings between the two clubs

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

###

About the Vancouver Bandits:

The Vancouver Bandits are British Columbia’s professional basketball team. As the westernmost club in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Bandits offer an entertainment experience that combines a fast-paced game day atmosphere with a presentation of some of Canada’s top professional athletes within a world-class venue at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL):

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Bandits BC Player of the Week Presented by A&W Canada: January 19, 2024

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 17:59:53 GMT

Bridgette Hansen : Senior Girls, Killarney Secondary (Vancouver)

"I would like to nominate Bridgette because of her relentless hustle on both ends of the court. She brings her best every game and practice. What she brings to games runs off onto her teammates and is a coachable player as well. She is a big part of why we have started off with a great record this season and are first place in our division so far." -David Knight, coach

Aidna Sethen : Senior Boys, St. Ann's Academy (Kamloops)

"Aidan is an amazing athlete and student. So far this basketball season, he has dominated the court with points and was a big contributor to his team's third place finish at a recent tournament, where he was also named a bursary recipient. Not only does he excel in athletics but in academics as well as a yearly honour student. He deserves to be recognized for all that he does on and off the court." - Chandra Mallais, athletic director

Vancouver Bandits and Oxygen Yoga & Fitness Ink Partnership For the 2024 CEBL Season

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:15:00 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C. , January 18, 2024 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that British Columbia-based North American yoga and fitness industry leader, Oxygen Yoga & Fitness, has committed to supporting Canadian professional basketball by signing a community and marketing partnership with the Bandits for the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

The 2024 season marks Oxygen Yoga & Fitness’ inaugural season of partnership with Bandits Basketball. The Bandits serve as BC’s professional basketball team and are entering their 6th CEBL season, tipping off in May 2024.

The focus of Oxygen Yoga & Fitness’ partnership with British Columbia’s professional basketball team is to contribute to the game day experience at Vancouver’s home venue of Langley Events Centre (LEC) and showcase the Oxygen Yoga & Fitness brand nationally through its acquisition of a premier jersey asset on the back of the shoulders of each Vancouver Bandits’ home, away and alternate jersey.

This sponsorship position was recently introduced by the CEBL and is new for the 2024 season. With the partnership, Oxygen Yoga & Fitness in tandem with the Bandits become the first CEBL partnership to announce a national brand in this highly visible upper-back placement.

The Oxygen Yoga & Fitness logo will make its “on-jersey” debut this upcoming May when the Vancouver Bandits commence their sixth CEBL season, which will feature games on TSN national telecasts, TSN+ and CEBL+.

“As we embark on this journey with the Vancouver Bandits, I'm thrilled to announce Oxygen Yoga & Fitness' partnership. Supporting our local athletes and working with the CEBL fills my heart with pride. Together, we're not just sponsors; we're a community fostering dreams. Let's soar to new heights, united in our commitment to excellence," said CEO & Franchisor of Oxygen Yoga & Fitness, Jen Hamilton.

Oxygen Yoga & Fitness, a British Columbia-founded company, started with a single yoga studio in 2008 and has now grown to over 80 locations across North America. Passionate about health, fitness and mental health, Oxygen Yoga & Fitness is Canada’s original FAR infrared hot studio.

“The Vancouver Bandits are grateful to partner with Jen Hamilton and Oxygen Yoga & Fitness. Oxygen Yoga & Fitness is an industry leader when it comes to combining healthy active living and mental health. Jen is a role model in the entrepreneurial space and we are proud to formalize a partnership that will showcase the Oxygen Yoga & Fitness brand whenever we play at home and on the road across Canada and on TSN national TV,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

Season tickets and flex packs for the sixth season of Bandits Basketball are available for purchase at this link . A complete CEBL regular season schedule is expected to be announced this winter.

Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2024 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

###

For Vancouver Bandits media inquiries, please contact:

Andrew Savory, Vice President, Brand & Communications, (604) 217-6213, asavory@thebandits.ca

About the Vancouver Bandits:

About the CEBL:

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73 percent of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps last October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Hoopers Know: Rich Goulet Court

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 22:46:01 GMT

Hoopers Know is a video series that tells the stories of courts and places that players in Metro Vancouver and beyond call home.

�� Rich Goulet Court, Langley

Bandits BC Player of the Week Presented by A&W Canada: January 12, 2024

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 18:56:50 GMT

Emma Su : Senior Girls, Richmond Christian School

"Emma is one of the leaders on our Senior Girls team. She is the anchor of our defence and is our most hardworking player. She is also one of the assistant coaches for our Grade 8 and 9 girls team and is a role model for our younger student-athletes." -Jon Chan, Athletic Director

Marcus Nickles : Senior Boys, Salmon Arm Secondary School

"Marcus is an outstanding player and our Senior Boys team captain. He has scored over 30 points in half of our games, including one game where he scored 50 points. As good as he is at basketball, he is an even better kid and a fantastic student. He should be on the watch list of university coaches." -Gene Doray, Coach

Bandits head coach Kyle Julius is sharing pro basketball insights with the Lower Mainland one school at a time.

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 19:55:55 GMT

Vancouver’s bench boss is making an impact in the community this CEBL offseason.

The Vancouver Bandits have kept busy this CEBL off-season by working with local schools and their basketball programs.

Throughout the first semester of the 2023-24 school year, Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius has been visiting schools across the Lower Mainland hosting basketball skill and training sessions with their basketball programs.

To date, Julius has visited 68 teams from 29 schools with teams ranging from middle school to the senior level.

The initiative is part of the Bandits’ ongoing commitment to support the development of middle and high school basketball in British Columbia.

In a typical practice with Julius, student-athletes experience an extensive warm-up routine that closely mirrors a Bandits workout. The warm-up is followed by several drills and training routines aimed at building skill and character.

Each practice concludes with a question-and-answer session. Practices with Julius have been met with positive reception from educators and student-athletes alike.

“Having the Bandits work with schools in the Lower Mainland is exciting,” Julius said. “These coaches and student-athletes are doing great work, so to come in and help for a day and share my experiences with these teams is very important.”

“Hosting Kyle and the Bandits at our school was an incredible opportunity,” said Rachel Beskau, an educator and basketball coach at RE Mountain Secondary in Langley. “To have a coach at the professional level was extremely beneficial for our student-athletes. Our kids felt inspired during practice and we plan to put Kyle’s drills directly into our basketball programs.”

Julius’ school practices are just one of the many ways in which the Bandits have helped support high school basketball in BC. The Bandits also sponsor various tournaments throughout the school year and annually showcase a BC Player of the Week program in partnership with A&W Canada.

For more information on Vancouver Bandits school visits and to learn about the ways the Bandits can be involved with a school in your community, please contact community@thebandits.ca .

Lower Mainland-area Schools visited by Kyle Julius during the 2023-24 school year:

Aldergrove Secondary (Langley)

Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary (Port Coquitlam)

Clayton Heights Secondary (Surrey)

Credo Christian School (Langley)

Delta Secondary

Frank Hurt Secondary (Surrey)

Grandview Heights Secondary (Surrey)

HD Stafford Middle (Langley)

Hatzic Middle (Mission)

Kwantlen Park Secondary (Surrey)

LA Matheson Secondary (Surrey)

Langley Christian School

Maple Ridge Christian School

Maple Ridge Secondary

Meadowridge School (Maple Ridge)

Mission Secondary

Panorama Ridge Secondary (Surrey)

Peter Ewart Middle (Langley)

Princess Margaret Secondary (Surrey)

Queen Elizabeth Secondary ( Surrey)

RE Mountain Secondary (Langley)

Salish Secondary (Surrey)

Seaquam Secondary (Delta)

South Delta Secondary

Sullivan Heights Secondary (Surrey)

University Hill Secondary (Vancouver)

WJ Mouat Secondary (Abbotsford)

White Rock Christian Academy (Surrey)

Bandits BC Player of the Week Presented by A&W Canada: January 5, 2024

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 20:35:33 GMT

Gwen Storry: Senior Girls, Merritt Secondary School

"Gwen is playing in her second year of organized basketball and is a starting guard on the Senior Girls team despite being in Grade 9. At a recent tournament, Gwen averaged 32 points per game and her ferocious defense and aggressive basket attacks fuelled back-to-back wins for her team." - Jeremy Storry, coach

Basheer Al-Tabbaa: Junior Boys, RC Palmer Secondary School (Richmond)

"Basheer is consistent on his gameplay but has also shown unconditional support to his teammates and made sure they always play their best. He has a unique arsenal of skills and a mindset that can't be beat, the skill set has exceeded beyond imaginable. He is notably one of Palmer's dependant players, Basheer can only go up and beyond from here." -Megan Tolentino, coach

They will each receive a prize pack courtesy of the Vancouver Bandits and A&W Canada . To learn how you can nominate a local middle or secondary school student-athlete, follow this link for full details.

Bandits BC Player of the Week Presented by A&W Canada: December 23, 2023

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 20:31:20 GMT

Camryn Tait: Senior Girls, Seaquam Secondary School (Delta)

"Camryn earned MVP honours at the Tsumura Basketball Invitational tournament. She is starting to develop into the type of overall basketball player that we all know she can be. She is just scratching the surface of that potential and has a very high ceiling. She is our leader, our captain and her character on and off the court is exactly who we want to be as a team." -Lucky Toor, head coach

Chad Gammad: Senior Boys, AR MacNeill Secondary School (Richmond)

"Chad has qualities of a true elite player and is an exceptional role model to our younger student athletes at MacNeill. Chad has proven to be an elite scorer and two-way player, posting averages of 26.6 pts, 6.3 rebounds and 4.6 steals per game, including a highlight performance at the Byrne Creek Bulldog tournament pouring 48 points on 62% shooting from the field." -Justin Dy-Pe, coach

They will each receive a prize pack courtesy of the Vancouver Bandits and A&W Canada . To learn how you can nominate a local middle or secondary school student-athlete, follow this link for full details.

Day in the Life with Diego Maffia

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 00:24:37 GMT

Inside the life of a CEBL U SPORTS Development Athlete and Canada West men's basketball star. Follow along as we join Diego Maffia for a "Day in the Life" of a U SPORTS athlete during a road game between the University of Victoria Vikes and the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades.

Directed and edited by Simrit Saini.

Vancouver Bandits and I·SPARC extend partnership of Indigenous Basketball Collective

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 17:45:00 GMT

Traditional Territory of the Coast Salish peoples / Langley, BC , Dec. 20, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits and the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council ( I·SPARC ) announced Wednesday the extension of their partnership with a renewed emphasis on coaching and officiating clinics as well as youth camps that will be hosted throughout 2024 as part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective .

The Indigenous Basketball Collective is a collaborative effort between the Bandits as BC’s professional basketball team and I·SPARC that is designed to offer basketball programming across the province. The partnership also includes the development of outdoor basketball courts through the Court Projects initiative.

I·SPARC and the Bandits maintain regular communication throughout the year to ensure that any and all programs hosted by both organizations meet the diverse needs of Indigenous youth, coaches and officials from across B.C. The dates for future coaching, officiating and player development camps will be announced at a later date.

“Basketball is one of the most popular sports among Indigenous youth in BC. We greatly value our partnership with the Vancouver Bandits as it reflects our shared commitment to Indigenous basketball development. Together we are continuing to design innovative initiatives that deepen relationships with communities and fuel the passion for the sport through programming for Indigenous athletes, coaches, and officials,” said I·SPARC’s CEO Rick Brant.

Earlier this fall the Bandits and I·SPARC hosted a free basketball camp in North Vancouver for youth from across the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions.

The goal of the Indigenous Basketball Collective since its inception in 2022 has been to create increased opportunities for Indigenous players, coaches and others involved in basketball to participate in training camps, competitions, workshops and more.

“There is a thriving Indigenous basketball ecosystem in British Columbia and we are grateful for our partnership with I·SPARC to connect with both current and aspiring basketball players, coaches and officials by creating more opportunities for them to play and learn,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular, who also sits on I·SPARC’s provincial basketball committee.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter . An overview of I·SPARC programs and grants are available at isparc.ca and @isparcbc on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter .

Bandits BC Player of the Week Presented by A&W Canada: December 15, 2023

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 20:24:54 GMT

Macie Svehla: Junior Girls, GW Graham Secondary School (Chilliwack)

“Macie helped her team take down two provincially ranked schools en route to a championship at a recent tournament. She scored 23 points in the semifinals and 29 points in the final, including seven 3-pointers." -Ashley Hayes, Coach

Andreas Vergara: Junior Boys, Point Grey Secondary School (Vancouver)

"Andreas is a great teammate and player. He recently scored 21 points in a game thanks to his strong shooting. He plays and practices hard. He brings a positive approach to practice and is a good student as well." -Yang Yang, Coach

They will each receive a prize pack courtesy of the Vancouver Bandits and A&W Canada . To learn how you can nominate a local middle or secondary school student-athlete, follow this link for full details.

Vancouver Bandits & BM Group Renew Partnership for the 2024 & 2025 CEBL Seasons

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 18:32:42 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C. , Dec. 15, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that British Columbia-based global construction solutions company, BM Group , has renewed its dedication to supporting Canadian professional basketball by extending its community and marketing partnership with the Bandits for the 2024 and 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) seasons.

BM Group has aligned with Bandits Basketball since 2022 when its inaugural year of partnership was announced following the club’s relocation to Langley Events Centre.

The focus of BM Group’s partnership with British Columbia’s professional basketball team is to contribute to the game day experience at Vancouver’s home venue of Langley Events Centre (LEC) and to support basketball communities throughout the Lower Mainland through the Court Projects program, Community Champion Initiative and the Bandits’ annual School Day Game where BM Group supports hundreds of students from the region through the sponsored provision of tickets to the game.

"At BM Group, we are thrilled to deepen our commitment to the vibrant basketball community of British Columbia through our extended partnership with the Vancouver Bandits. Our goal is to enrich the game day experience at Langley Events Centre while fostering positive change through initiatives like the Court Projects program, the Community Champion Initiative and the School Day Game. We believe in the power of basketball to inspire and unite communities, and this collaboration exemplifies our dedication to making a meaningful impact at both the grassroots and professional levels," said BM Group president Milan Mann.

BM Group of Companies, a British Columbia-based family-owned and operated portfolio, redefines construction solutions with its integration of 18 businesses united by a common purpose and vision. Renowned for quality assurance and value-added service, BM Group transcends land development, emerging as an industry-leading and trustworthy brand across real estate, construction support, materials supply, structural support, concrete repair and waterproofing.

“The Vancouver Bandits are grateful to build on our community-driven partnership with Milan Mann and BM Group for the 2024 and 2025 CEBL seasons. BM Group’s commitment to growing the game of basketball at the grassroots level is evidenced by their support of Court Projects, the Community Champion Initiative and our annual School Day Game. BM Group’s support of Court Projects has improved more than 25 outdoor courts in the Lower Mainland and has been integral in the development of four outdoor basketball courts in four Indigenous communities in British Columbia,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

Season tickets and flex packs for the sixth season of Bandits Basketball are available for purchase at this link . A complete CEBL regular season schedule is expected to be announced this winter.

Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2024 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits, Basketball BC to Co-Host Coaches Clinic ft. Kyle Julius, Allison & Mike McNeill

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 18:54:49 GMT

LANGLEY, BC , Dec. 11, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits and Basketball BC announced Monday that the two organizations will jointly host a free-to-attend coaches clinic at Langley Events Centre (LEC) on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

The clinic is open to basketball coaches of all levels and promises an afternoon of skill development, strategic insights and collaborative learning. The clinic is part of the Vancouver Bandits and Basketball BC’s ongoing commitment to growing basketball in British Columbia.

Earlier this month the Bandits and Basketball BC co-hosted a virtual seminar for 155 officials and coaches from across the province.

Interested members of the basketball community are invited to register for January’s coaches clinic by visiting www.thebandits.ca/basketball-resources .

The in-person clinic will run for three hours on January 7 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT. All participants must register online to attend and receive relevant clinic information.

Instruction at the clinic will be facilitated by three household names from Canada’s coaching community; including current Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius as well as former Canadian senior women’s national team head coach Allison McNeill and assistant coach Mike McNeill.

The clinic will focus on skill development crucial for helping players grow and will feature insights on effective coaching strategies. The event will also include opportunities for attendees to engage with the instructors as part of a question-and-answer period.

About the Coaches:

Kyle Julius, general manager and head coach, Vancouver Bandits

Led Canada to a gold medal at the internationally renowned 2017 William Jones Cup
Coached the Saigon Heat in the ASEAN Basketball League where he helped Saigon achieve its first two winning seasons and first-ever playoff victory in franchise history
Coached the Formosa Dreamers to championship and semifinal berths in 2021 and 2022
Led the Vancouver Bandits as head coach in 2020 to the CEBL finals. The Bandits have qualified for the postseason in each of Julius’ years of involvement with the club

Allison McNeill, former head coach, Canadian senior women’s national team

Head coach of Team Canada from 2001-12. Guided the team to its first appearance at the 2012 London Olympic Games since 2000 – advancing to the quarterfinals, equalling the best performance by the Canadian women’s national basketball team
Led Canada to two FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup appearances in 2006 and 2010
Head coach of the Canadian junior women’s national team from 1998-2000
Head coach of Simon Fraser’s women’s team from 1988-2001. Advanced to 3 NAIA Final Four appearances
Served as the associate head coach of the University of Oregon’s women’s basketball team from 2001-05 and helped the Ducks win the WNIT title in 2002 and an NCAA tournament berth in 2005
Led Semiahmoo Secondary’s senior girls basketball program to back-to-back provincial titles in 2019 and 2020

Mike McNeill

Assistant coach of Canada’s senior women’s national team from 2001-12
Head coach of Simon Fraser’s men’s basketball team from 1978-82
Assistant coach of the University of Oregon’s women’s basketball team from 2001-05
Former manager of coaching development for Basketball BC
Head coach of Basketball BC’s U19 and U21 provincial teams; led teams to Canada Basketball national championship titles

"I am excited as we gear up for an informative coaching clinic, bringing together the expertise of three internationally seasoned coaches. This opportunity provides further education to elevate our coaching standards and enrich the basketball landscape in British Columbia. Join us as we learn, grow and shape the future of basketball together," said Shawn Dheensaw, executive director of Basketball BC.

Basketball BC and the Vancouver Bandits are committed to promoting the growth of basketball in the community and fostering a love for the sport. This coaching clinic is an excellent opportunity for coaches to enhance their knowledge, learn new techniques and engage with experienced coaches. The coaches clinic is the second complementary education offering from Vancouver Bandits and Basketball BC this fall.

"We believe in the power of collaboration and community engagement. This coaching clinic reflects our commitment to providing valuable resources and opportunities for everyone enthusiastic about basketball. We look forward to a day filled with learning, inspiration and fun," said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Bandits BC Player of the Week Presented by A&W Canada: December 8, 2023

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 18:52:05 GMT

Kiona Miller: Junior Girls, Dover Bay Secondary School (Nanaimo)

“Kiona had a double-double off the bench (14 points, 18 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) in Dover Bay's first game of the season. Kiona is quickly establishing her dominance in the paint, despite being one of only two Grade 9 athletes on the team.” -Shayne Pfeifer, Coach

Yuvraj Grewal: Senior Boys, Sullivan Heights Secondary School (Surrey)

“Yuvraj is our 6'9" centre and, so far this season, has impacted our game defensively by altering and blocking many shots and offensively by being a presence inside with his dunking ability. He had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocks in our season opening game.” -Tyler Ram, Coach

They will each receive a prize pack courtesy of the Vancouver Bandits and A&W Canada . To learn how you can nominate a local middle or secondary school student-athlete, follow this link for full details.

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 1

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 19:01:10 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius and Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul provide their insights on the question, “How does knowledge of who your officials will be affect your pregame planning?”

Click here to watch question 2 .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 2

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:53:27 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul and U SPORTS/CEBL official Trevor West provide their insights on the question, “How does your familiarity with an official affect how you interact with officials during the game?”

Click here to watch question 3 .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 3

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:52:56 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius and Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul respond to the question of, “When you do not know the officials what are some things that we can do to make a good first impression?”

Click here to watch question 4 .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 4

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:52:16 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul and U SPORTS/CEBL official Trevor West provide their insights on the question, “When you see an official for the first time what are some things that they do that give you confidence in them?”

Click here to watch question 5 (part 1) .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 5 (part 1)

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:51:41 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul and U SPORTS/CEBL official Trevor West provide their insights on the question, “When you communicate with an official what do you see as a positive interaction?”

This video is the first of two parts to this question.

Click here to watch question five (part 2) .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 5 (part 2)

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:51:17 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul and U SPORTS/CEBL official Trevor West provide their insights on the question, “When you communicate with an official what do you see as a positive interaction?”

This video is the second of two parts to this question.

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 6

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:50:48 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul and U SPORTS/CEBL official Trevor West provide their insights on the question, “What are some strategies coaches can use to get their point across to the officials in a positive manner?”

Click here to watch question 7 (part 1) .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 7 (part 1)

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:50:23 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul and U SPORTS/CEBL official Trevor West provide their insights on the question, “Any suggestions for officials when you have a significant disagreement between what you are seeing and what they are calling?”

This video is the first of two parts to this question.

Click here to watch question 7 (part 2) .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 7 (part 2)

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:49:52 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

This video is the first of two parts to this question.

This video is the second of two parts to this question.

Click here to watch question 8 .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 8

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:49:09 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius and Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul provide their insights on the question, “What are your feelings about officials talking to players?”

Click here to watch question 9 .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 9

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:48:31 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul and U SPORTS/CEBL official Trevor West provide their insights on the question, “Do you see any differences in how officials treat male vs. female athletes?”

Click here to watch question 10 (part 1) .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 10 (part 1)

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:48:09 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul and U SPORTS/CEBL official Trevor West provide their insights on the question, “How does knowledge of who your officials will be affect your pregame planning?”

This video is the first of two parts to this question.

Click here to watch question 10 (part 2) .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 10 (part 2)

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:47:36 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul and U SPORTS/CEBL official Trevor West provide their insights on the question, “How does knowledge of who your officials will be affect your pregame planning?”

This video is the second of two parts to this question.

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 11

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:46:46 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Head of education for Basketball BC Officials Committee: 4 Points of Emphasis for Officials in BC in 2023-24. Jamie Clegg is a committee member, head of education for the Basketball BC Officials Committee and shares the four points of emphasis for officials in the 2023-24 season. The 4 points are: dribbler contact, post play, protecting the shooter and verticality.

Click here to watch question 12 .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 12

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:45:06 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Head of education for Basketball BC Officials Committee: The 2 ways that we can grow the game of basketball in 2023-24 is by improving bench decorum and understanding the new traveling violation rules. Jamie Clegg is a committee member, head of education for the Basketball BC Officials Committee and presents these 2 ideas.

Click to watch question 13 (part 1) .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 13 (part 1)

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:44:28 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

Question and answer period at the 2023 Provincial Education Seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits including panelists Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius, Trinity Western Spartans women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul, U SPORTS/CEBL official Trevor West and head of education for Basketball BC Officials Committee Jamie Clegg.

This video is the first of two parts to this question.

Click here to watch question 13 (part 2 -- final episode in this series) .

Provincial Education Webinar: Coaches & Officials Interactions - Question 13 (part 2)

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:42:29 GMT

A provincial education seminar co-hosted by Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits professional basketball club.

This video is the second of two p arts to this qu estion.

Bandits BC Player of the Week Presented by A&W Canada: December 1, 2023

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 20:43:13 GMT

Gray Talbot: Senior Girls , Wellington Secondary School (Nanaimo)

“Gray is an amazing athlete, she is a leader at our school and works very hard to excel at her chosen sport. She has been playing with the senior team, as her skills need to be pushed to the next level. Her passion for the game is seen when she is on the court.” -Nicole McRae, Athletic Director

Malcolm Tyler: Senior Boys, Brookswood Secondary School (Langley)

“Malcolm has been an outstanding teammate and citizen at Brookswood. He volunteers as a coach with our younger teams and gets his teammates into the weight room to workout after school. He is the starting centre for the Brookswood Bobcats who come into the season ranked 4th. He led the Bobcats to a 80-60 win this week, with 24 points and 15 rebounds.” -Jyoti Pawar, Athletic Director

They will each receive a prize pack courtesy of the Vancouver Bandits and A&W Canada . To learn how you can nominate a local middle or secondary school student-athlete, follow this link for full details.

Vancouver Bandits and University Canada West Renew Partnership for the 2024 CEBL Season

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 17:51:26 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C., Nov. 23, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that Vancouver-based university, University Canada West , has renewed its dedication to supporting Canadian professional basketball by extending its community and marketing partnership with the Bandits for the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

University Canada West (UCW) has aligned with Bandits Basketball since 2022 when its inaugural year of partnership was announced following the club’s relocation to Langley Events Centre.

The focus of University Canada West’s partnership with British Columbia’s professional basketball team is to contribute to the game day experience at Vancouver’s home venue of Langley Events Centre (LEC) and to support basketball communities throughout the Lower Mainland through the Court Projects initiative.

“University Canada West is delighted to continue our partnership with the Vancouver Bandits into the 2024 season, supporting community development through the team’s Court Projects initiative and adding to the vibrant and exciting game day atmosphere at the Langley Events Centre,” said UCW President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Bashir Makhoul.

University Canada West is an innovative business and technology-oriented institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees at its two downtown Vancouver campuses. UCW offers a range of career-focused programs including, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication, Associate of Arts and Master of Business Administration.

“The Vancouver Bandits are grateful to build on our partnership with University Canada West for the 2024 CEBL season. Demonstrating University Canada West’s commitment to developing local basketball is the organization’s support of Court Projects, which has spurred the improvement of over 25 outdoor basketball courts in the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver regions,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

Season tickets and flex packs for the sixth season of Bandits Basketball are available for purchase at this link . A complete CEBL regular season schedule is expected to be announced this winter.

Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2024 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Partner With Basketball BC to Host Virtual Seminar for Provincial Coaches and Officials

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 18:26:16 GMT

LANGLEY, BC, Nov 22, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club has partnered with Basketball BC to host a virtual seminar for coaches and officials from across the province on Sunday, Dec. 3.

The virtual seminar includes a Basketball BC’s Officials Committee (BBCOC) presentation led by BBCOC Head Educator Jamie Clegg that will focus on four keys of emphasis for officials during the 2023-24 school season, as well as a Q&A panelist session with the theme: Coaches and Officials Interactions.

The four panelists include Vancouver Bandits head coach Kyle Julius , Trinity Western University Spartans’ women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul and two BC high school coaches that will be announced on Monday, Nov. 27.

Interested officials and coaches are invited to register for the free event by visiting www.thebandits.ca/basketball-resources . The virtual seminar runs for 90 minutes on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 7 p.m. PT to 8:30 p.m. PT. All participants must register online to receive the virtual webinar Zoom link.

"My thanks to the Vancouver Bandits for championing the spirit of basketball education and unity with Basketball BC. Together, the virtual session of knowledge, weaving the emphasis for officials will assist our basketball community. Special gratitude to our four coaching talents who will share their experience, creating an invaluable learning for coaches and officials alike”, said Basketball BC executive director Shawn Dheensaw.

Julius and Jean-Paul are internationally experienced head coaches who bring an extensive background of working with the highest levels of International Basketball Federation (FIBA) officials.

The virtual seminar is the latest installment in Basketball BC and Vancouver Bandits’ commitment to enhancing basketball communities across the province. The idea of a joint coaches and officials seminar was first introduced by Eric Kuntz, a member of the board of directors for the Fraser Valley Basketball Officials Association (FVBOA), after leading a regional virtual seminar in October.

The goal of the seminar is to foster a stronger connection between basketball coaches and officials across British Columbia.

“Officials are an integral part of the basketball ecosystem and are key cogs in driving the game's growth in British Columbia. Increasing interest in officiating relies on factors such as the relationship between coaches and officials. In response to a provincial shortage of trained and qualified officials, we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Basketball BC on this initiative and to connect stakeholders from across the province,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

Coaches and officials have an opportunity to request their question(s) to be part of the Q&A and are invited to propose their questions on the registration portal. If individuals are unable to attend, they will receive the video recording following the event. Registration is required to receive the recording.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits & PerfectLens Renew Season Presenting Partnership for 2024 and 2025 CEBL Seasons

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:52:35 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C. , Nov. 16, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that Vancouver-based contact lens supplier, PerfectLens , has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Canadian professional basketball by extending its season presenting partnership of the Bandits for the 2024 and 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) seasons.

PerfectLens has partnered with Bandits Basketball since 2020 when its inaugural year of partnership was announced prior to the CEBL Summer Series.

The focus of PerfectLens’ partnership with British Columbia’s professional basketball team is to contribute to the game day experience at Vancouver’s home venue of Langley Events Centre (LEC) and to support basketball communities throughout the Lower Mainland.

The upcoming CEBL seasons represent the fifth and sixth years of partnership between the Bandits and PerfectLens.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with the Bandits and to support the club’s emphasis on community development and providing an inclusive and entertaining game day atmosphere that fans of all ages can be part of,” said PerfectLens President Mitsuhiro Shigeno.

As the club’s Official Contact Lens Supplier since 2020, PerfectLens will be promoted on Bandits game days at LEC with a co-branded logo lock at centre court and on the team’s shorts for both home and away games against CEBL competition in each of the league’s nine other markets in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatchewan (Saskatoon), Winnipeg, Brampton, Niagara (St. Catharines), Scarborough, Ottawa and Montréal.

Through various touchpoints for its brand–ranging from main videoboard segments to t-shirt giveaways and social media activations–Bandits fans are invited to engage with the PerfectLens brand through in-venue video features as well as activations and promotional offers shared through Vancouver’s social and Bandits Insider newsletter platforms.

“The Vancouver Bandits are grateful to build upon our partnership with PerfectLens over the next two CEBL seasons. Both organizations are committed to ensuring that fans of Bandits Basketball are treated to an elite entertainment spectacle and are familiar with the PerfectLens brand and services through community giveaways and in-game activations,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

Season tickets and flex packs for the sixth season of Bandits Basketball are available for purchase at this link . A complete CEBL regular season schedule is expected to be announced this winter.

Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ upcoming 2024 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Court Chronicles 2023: Episode 4

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:36:20 GMT

The Court Chronicles docuseries gives a behind-the-scenes look at the culture and journey of the 2023 Vancouver Bandits professional basketball team, presented by Daily Hive Vancouver.

Edited by Alinar Dapilos

Vancouver Bandits Flex Packs on Sale Now for the 2024 CEBL Season

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 17:58:41 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C. , November 8, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Wednesday that the club is now on sale with flex packs for its upcoming 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

New for the Bandits’ sixth season in the CEBL, flex packs are available as eight or 12 ticket packs and are designed to give fans the flexibility to enjoy Bandits Basketball when and how they want.

Flex packs start as low as $18 per ticket and are available for purchase throughout the LEC seating bowl in the baseline corner, corner, orange, navy and premium sections. For example, fans can use a 12 ticket flex pack to redeem a pair of tickets to six games or six tickets for two different games.

Flex packs are available for purchase now by clicking here .

More information on flex packs can be found at thebandits.ca/flex-packs .

Upon purchasing a flex pack, fans will receive a purchase confirmation and an invitation to set up their Showpass account if they have not done so already to manage their tickets online or via the Showpass mobile application.

Flex pack purchasers will be assigned a Vancouver Bandits sales and service representative that will be in contact to ensure each customer is familiar with the benefits available to them through their account. Flex pack holders will be invited to redeem their vouchers to select seats before single game tickets go on sale in spring 2024.

This priority access to seat selection also extends to a potential home playoff game if the Bandits qualify for the CEBL postseason and are determined to host a playoff game at LEC.

“Flex packs are an awesome way to enjoy the Bandits experience because they allow you to customize how and when you use your tickets. Summer is a busy time and we know that fans want to come with groups of varying sizes, so a flex pack lets you choose how many tickets to use according to the specific games that you want to attend,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits 2023-24 Offseason Preview

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 20:49:07 GMT

The Road To Redemption

The 2023 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season featured highs and lows for the Vancouver Bandits as part of an audacious campaign that saw increased attendance and notable individual player performances but also faced the weight of championship aspirations as the host city for Championship Weekend.

After a tough 1-4 start to the season, Vancouver responded with three straight wins to help the club level its record at .500. Sadly, the team could not maintain its momentum and struggled to find its rhythm; finishing the season with an 8-12 record heading into Championship Weekend.

Vancouver won three of its last four games heading into the postseason, which proved to be a key bright spot given two of those three wins were against Ottawa and Scarborough – both of which sported records above .500 and were competing for playoff seeding.

As hosts of Championship Weekend, Vancouver received an automatic berth in the Western Conference Finals against the Calgary Surge, whom the Bandits sported a 2-1 record against during the 2023 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

Late turnovers and a failure to execute proved costly as the Bandits endured heartbreak for the fourth straight season. 2020 ended with a championship game loss, 2021’s postseason ended in a semifinal three-point dagger, 2022’s playoff hopes were dashed prematurely in the play-in round and 2023’s dreams were put to rest with a three-point dagger from Calgary’s Stefan Smith that cemented a 77-75 defeat.

Turning Progress into Momentum

The Vancouver Bandits are gearing up for 2024 with a clear focus on progression. Here are some key names to watch as the CEBL postseason ensues and members of the Bandits embark on their next overseas or U SPORTS playing opportunity.

Diego Maffia made a notable impact during the 2023 season. He now returns to the University of Victoria for his U SPORTS season. The Oak Bay Secondary product showed flashes of promise, scoring 15 and dropping 11 assists in a June 3 home opener victory against Calgary, but struggled to find consistency with his shot, hitting 30 percent of his three-point attempts, while nailing 91.7 per cent from the free throw line. Maffia is a promising U SPORTS Development Athlete to watch and will be eligible to be re-drafted by the Bandits next spring. After leading U SPORTS in scoring with 24.5 points per game in 2023, he is primed for further development at Victoria after a 2022-23 season that saw him take the Vikes to the Final 8.

Earlier this fall the Bandits announced its protected list of players for the 2023 offseason. Notable players featuring an exclusive period to be re-signed by the Bandits for the 2024 season include Duane Notice and Nick Ward. Notice and Ward received defensive player of the year and most valuable player honours, respectively, as part of the Bandits’ team award proceedings, and now will look to assert themselves in the offseason. Nick Ward has taken his talents to Lithuania where he is playing for BC Gargzdai.

Athletic big man Kur Jongkuch has joined Horsens in Denmark where he will continue to develop in his second professional season after graduating from Temple University in 2023.

2023 Areas of Success
In the 2023 season, the Bandits made a statement with their prowess in rebounding. Giorgi Bezhanishvili averaged 6.6 defensive rebounds per game and played a pivotal role in securing possessions for the team. The Bandits as a whole led the league with an impressive average of 42.7 total rebounds per game.

2024 Areas of Improvement
The Bandits need to bolster the club’s shot-blocking capabilities. Last season's average of 2.2 blocks per game was the lowest in the league, making it challenging to protect the paint. While Nick Ward led the team in blocks with 0.9 per game, there's room for improvement to enhance the team's rim protection.

Turnovers and fouls were also significant concerns in 2023. Averaging 16.2 turnovers and 19.2 fouls per game disrupted offensive flow and defensive stability. Reducing turnovers and fouls is essential to creating more efficient possessions and reducing the opposition's free throw opportunities.

2024 Outlook
The Bandits understand the need for a more consistent and athletic primary point guard for the upcoming season. A player who can contribute 12-16 points per game, prioritize ball security, and lead the team for an entire season of play is expected to be at the top of the agenda for Bandits head coach and general manager, Kyle Julius. While they can choose from both domestic and American or international free agent options, the primary point guard should be a reliable leader on and off the court.

In addition to the primary point guard, the Bandits can benefit from a secondary point guard to provide 15-20 minutes per game in support of the primary floor general. Someone who has a 35 per cent or greater three-point average and can exhibit smart decision-making to contribute quality minutes and get the Bandits’ secondary unit involved could be the missing piece needed.

Improving offense and defense is crucial for the team's success in 2024. On the offensive front, the Bandits will aim to enhance shooting accuracy. With 71.4 field goal attempts per game, the team made an average of 30.4 of those shots. This indicates the importance of enhancing their accuracy to boost overall offensive efficiency and scoring output. They will also aim to continue promoting ball movement as the Bandits (18.8 assists per game) were just 0.8 shy from the league leader Ottawa Blackjacks dedicated effort in improving their teamwork, Vancouver can become a more competitive force in the league. Improving their free throw shooting is imperative. The Bandits attempted 22.1 free throws per game but made only 14.5 on average, resulting in a free throw percentage of 65.6 per cent, which was the lowest in the league.

Defensively, they're working on reducing points allowed. In 2023, the Bandits committed an average of 16.2 turnovers per game, the most in the CEBL. By reducing turnovers, the team can improve ball possession and limit the opponent's scoring opportunities, while also creating turnovers through steals and blocks.

The 2023-24 CEBL offseason is a key opportunity for Julius to retool the Bandits, who are looking to make improvements on both the offensive and defensive side of the basketball. Anticipate a few returning players but also a new wave of athletic and polished talent that Julius will look to recruit from some of the top league’s around the globe. Consistent contributions from role players and elevated production from the team’s stars will inspire a fanbase that delivered multiple sell-out crowds in 2023 and is hungry for an improved contender in 2024.

Vancouver Bandits, FortisBC, I∙SPARC and the Province of British Columbia Partner on ‘Court Projects’ to Build Four Outdoor Basketball Courts in Indigenous Communities

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 16:38:39 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C., Oct. 27, 2023 – FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) is joining forces with British Columbia’s professional basketball team, the Vancouver Bandits , and the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) to build outdoor basketball courts that will serve as new recreational hubs for local youth in four Indigenous communities across the province.

The four communities where courts equipped with backboards and hoops are already completed or are in the process of anticipated construction are as follows:

Completed - Full court: Shxwhá:y Village (Chilliwack)
Completed - Half-court: Soowahlie First Nation (Chilliwack)
Completed - Full court: Snuneymuxw First Nation (Nanaimo)
In development: Sumas First Nation (Abbotsford)

The initiative as a whole is called ‘ Court Projects ’ and is supported by the Province of British Columbia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport , as well as various local partners to bolster the existing collaboration between FortisBC, I∙SPARC and the Bandits, who have worked in partnership to host the annual Indigenous Basketball Collective Camp during the BC Basketball Festival at Langley Events Centre (LEC) each summer since 2022.

“We applaud the work the Bandits and these communities are doing to invest in basketball courts which will support fun, meaningful activities for youth,” said Doug Slater, vice-president, Indigenous relations and regulatory affairs at FortisBC. “We are committed to making a positive difference in the communities we serve and we’re pleased to be a part of this project.”

Inspired by the rapid rise in popularity of one of Canada’s most accessible sports, Court Projects is a legacy component inspired by the unifying spirit of the BC Basketball Festival and is the latest touchpoint of the Indigenous Basketball Collective. The goal of the Collective is to create increased opportunities for Indigenous players, coaches and others involved in basketball to participate in training camps, competitions, workshops and more.

The Court Projects initiative is a contributing facet of the Indigenous Basketball Collective .

“The Indigenous Basketball Collective was created to provide opportunities for Indigenous involvement and growth in the sport of basketball. Training camps, competitions and player development can only be made possible through access to facilities,” said Rick Brant, chief executive officer of I∙SPARC.

“Facilities close to home that are safe and also help remove economic barriers for participation in the sport, encourage active lifestyles and help create a new gathering place for community members of all ages. We are grateful to these four Nations for their efforts and investment to bring their communities together through the sport of basketball.”

Adding to Court Projects’ mandate is a focus on revitalizing courts and hoops in need. To do so, the Vancouver Bandits have collaborated with schools, recreation centres and local partners to donate new metal rims and fresh net mesh for outdoor courts in regions across British Columbia. These upgrades have been supported by partners of the Court Projects program.

“It is an honour to work with FortisBC in partnership with Indigenous communities across B.C. to build basketball courts for public use by individuals of all ages. Basketball is one of Canada’s most inclusive sports and we hope these new courts can serve as an added resource to help encourage recreation, as well as active and healthy lifestyles,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular.

Head to thebandits.ca , fortisbc.com or isparc.ca for more information.

Quotes:

“This partnership symbolizes coming together to show support and recognition of each other's cultures. Showing this to children and instilling it in them – it gives them strength going forward. It is much more than the game of basketball. It is the evolution of growth and working with cultures and people in other areas. It is a beautiful thing to be part of.”

Chief Robert Gladstone, Shxwhá:y Village

“Basketball, hockey, soccer and baseball are the main sports within Soowahlie. Basketball has been on the back burner because of not having a court, but now having the court is going to bring it to our community in a greater way. For youth, it is an easy sport to play because you can play it one-on-one or you can play it with a team or individually.”

Chief Brenda Wallace, Soowahlie First Nation

“I can’t say enough about the Vancouver Bandits. The partnership between Snuneymuxw and the Bandits has brought nothing but positivity to our community as children and youth get to play on the hoops that the club provided. When I see and hear the kids playing on the new outdoor court it is a positive reminder of the partnership and our great work together.”

Sqwulutsultun William Yoachim, Snuneymuxw First Nation Councillor

“A big thank you to the Bandits for the recognition and respect they have shown towards Semá:th. The donation of a basketball half-court is a great example of that respect and will provide an opportunity for our youth to enjoy the game at home in our community. Thank you to FortisBC for their partnership in this initiative as well. We wish the Bandits great success in their efforts to bring a championship to our province!”

Chief Dalton Silver, Sumas First Nation

“I’m delighted these new courts will give Indigenous youth more opportunities to play basketball and participate in their communities. Supporting the development of Indigenous athletes is one way our government is working to advance true and lasting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.”

Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

"Inspired by the incredible power of sports to unite communities, basketball's accessibility has become a driving force behind its surging popularity. When the Bandits introduced 'Court Projects' our commitment was unwavering. As an organization deeply rooted in the community, this initiative has provided the BM Group with yet another chance to strengthen our bonds with Indigenous peoples. On behalf of the entire BM Group of Companies, we are immensely proud of our involvement in 'Court Projects' and eagerly anticipate future collaborations."

Milan Mann, President, Vancouver Ready Mix & BM Group

Supporting Partners of Court Projects:

The Province of British Columbia and its Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Headlands Environmental
BM Group
Essence Properties
SluzCap
Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I∙SPARC)
Capital Steel
Fraser Valley Building Supplies (RONA)
Vancouver Ready Mix
NOVO Dental Centre
Skye Avenue Kitchen & Lounge
University Canada West

###

About the Vancouver Bandits:

About FortisBC Energy Inc.:

FortisBC Energy Inc. is a regulated utility focused on providing safe and reliable energy, including natural gas, Renewable Natural Gas and propane. FortisBC Energy Inc. employs around 2,096 British Columbians and serves approximately 1,075,595 customers across British Columbia. FortisBC Energy Inc. owns and operates approximately 51,174 kilometres of gas transmission and distribution pipelines. FortisBC Energy Inc. is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. FortisBC Energy Inc. uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. For further information on FortisBC, visit www.fortisbc.com . For further information on Fortis Inc., visit www.fortisinc.com .

About I∙SPARC:

The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is a provincial organization established with the purpose of improving the health outcomes of Indigenous peoples by supporting and encouraging physically active individuals, families, and communities. The programs and services delivered by I·SPARC are designed to build capacity and increase access to sport, recreation, and physical activity in First Nations communities, Métis Chartered Communities, Aboriginal Friendship Centres, schools, and other delivery agencies throughout the province. As an organization, I·SPARC coordinates Team BC selection and events, supporting high performance sport right through to the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). The I·SPARC team is always looking for new ways to bring sport and healthy living to youth and communities across the Province of BC, including through partnerships with communities, sport organizations and coaches. If you are interested in learning more, please check out https://www.isparc.ca .

Former Bandit DJ Steward Shines in NBA Preseason with the Boston Celtics

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 21:03:29 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C. , October 24, 2023 – Former Vancouver Bandit DJ Steward made his mark at NBA Summer League and during the recent preseason as a member of the Boston Celtics.

Steward made his Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) debut last May as a member of the Bandits after signing with the team in April and wrapped up the NBA preseason with the Celtics late last week.

Before turning pro, Steward played one season at Duke University. During his 2020-21 season as a Blue Devil, the 6-foot-2 guard from Chicago, Ill., honed his skills under the legendary and former team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Steward averaged 13 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting at 42.6 per cent during his lone freshman season at Duke, earning a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team.

Steward's stint with the Bandits this past summer saw the former Illinois Player of the Year suit up in just two CEBL contests due to sustaining an injury in his second game. During this stint, he showcased his scoring ability by averaging an impressive 21 points per game. He also displayed versatility on both sides of the basketball, contributing five rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.

The injury and preparations for NBA Summer League–where Steward would eventually play for the Philadelphia 76ers–led to Steward’s mutual release from the Bandits. Steward excelled with Philadelphia; including a 36-point performance on July 16, 2023, against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Steward’s strong summer helped the talented guard secure a non-guaranteed training camp deal with the Boston Celtics, which has afforded Steward an opportunity to gain valuable playing time alongside all-stars such as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

“DJ is a special player and it was truly unfortunate that he got hurt in our second game,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “We are happy for him and not at all surprised by his success in the NBA.”

Steward dressed in three games this preseason, against the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets. Steward was waived by the Celtics last Friday and is expected to join the club’s NBA G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, this fall.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Vancouver Bandits Team Up With Westland Insurance and Kw’umut Lelum To Host Basketball Camp For Indigenous Youth On Vancouver Island

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 17:01:20 GMT

NANAIMO, BC , September 27, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits partnered with Westland Insurance and Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services to host a youth basketball camp at Snuneymuxw First Nation on Vancouver Island.

The camp took place on Sept. 27 and was open to boys and girls. More than 30 Indigenous youth from the community participated in the free-to-attend event that featured two instructional skills sessions led by former Canadian senior men’s national team forward and Bandits alumni Levon Kendall.

Kendall retired from professional play following the 2021 Canadian Elite Basketball Season (CEBL) season and has served as an assistant coach on the Bandits’ staff since the 2022 CEBL campaign.

Multiple volunteers from Westland Insurance were in attendance to support the camp and help Kendall run drills and activities with local youth.

"We're proud to continue our partnership with the Vancouver Bandits and Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services," says Cari Watson, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Client Experience for Westland Insurance.

"At Westland, our core values of diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. Through this collaboration, we're excited to not only support the Bandits' community projects, but to also foster an inclusive and empowering environment for Indigenous youth on Vancouver Island. It's a true privilege to be a part of significant projects like these and we look forward to making a lasting impact together."

The camp is the latest installment in Westland Insurance’s commitment toward enhancing the Bandits’ community projects. Since 2022, Westland has sponsored the annual Indigenous youth basketball camp hosted by the Bandits as part of the club’s ongoing partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I∙SPARC). The partnership is showcased each summer at the BC Basketball Festival when more than 50 Indigenous youth come to Langley Events Centre for fundamental basketball instruction hosted by the Bandits’ coaching staff.

Rikki Wylie, prevention services manager at Kw’umut Lelum, helped organize the camp, which was hosted at Snuneymuxw First Nation’s recreation centre.

“There is a thriving basketball ecosystem on Vancouver Island and we are grateful for the chance to be invited to Snuneymuxw First Nation to connect with young and aspiring basketball players by creating an opportunity to play with their peers and learn new skills from one of our decorated Bandits alumni,” Bandits team president Dylan Kular said.

Vancouver Bandits Announce Winners of 2023 Team Awards

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 22:25:03 GMT

The Bandits have announced the winners of its 2023 Team Awards. Recipients were selected based on their performance during the 2023 CEBL season and contributions to the Vancouver-area community.

The 2023 winners are:

Nick Ward - Team MVP

Duane Notice - Defensive Player of the Year

Alex Campbell - FUEL Langley Warrior of the Year

Nick Ward - Offensive Player of the Year

Kur Jongkuch - Community Ambassador of the Year

The Offensive Player of the Year award recognizes the play of a unique player who contributes on the offensive end with consistent shot-making, playmaking and an overall ability to spark the offence at any moment.

The Defensive Player of the Year award commemorates an exemplary player who is capable of playing multiple positions and is a tenacious rebounder and team-first defender who thwarts opposing offences with his ability to congest the passing lanes and handle a variety of defensive responsibilities.

The Community Ambassador of the Year award is given to a team leader who is dedicated toward giving back to the Vancouver Bandits fan base and community through service, media availability and a selfless approach toward being involved at several events and activations.

The Warrior of the Year award recipient is an individual who epitomizes what it means to be a Vancouver Bandit. This player is a vocal, positive and tireless leader that inspires others through their grit, two-way play, passion for the game and willingness make sacrifices for their teammates.

The MVP award is given to a player who exhibits a proficiency on both sides of the basketball through a driven approach on offence and defence. The MVP is an elite performer who consistently leads by example.

Team MVP

2023 - Nick Ward

2022 - Alex Campbell

2021 - Alex Campbell

2020 - Malcolm Duvivier

2019 - Not awarded

Defensive Player of the Year

2023 - Duane Notice

2022 - Malcolm Duvivier

2021- Brandon Gilbeck

2020 - Malcolm Duvivier

2019 - Not awarded

Warrior of the Year

2023 - Alex Campbell

2022 - Thomas Kennedy

2021 - Malcolm Duvivier

2020 - Junior Cadougan

2019 - Not awarded

Offensive Player of the Year

2023 - Nick Ward

2022 - Shane Gibson

2021 - Alex Campbell

2020 - Jahenns Manigat

2019 - Not awarded

Community Ambassador of the Year

2023 - Kur Jongkuch

2022 - Ty Rowell

2021 - Anthony Tsegakele

2020 - Marek Klassen

2019 - Not awarded

Vancouver Bandits Announce 2023 Protected List

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 23:54:30 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits have announced its 2023 list of protected players.

Players on a Club's protected list have between February 1, 2024 until March 1st, 2024 at 9:01pm PT to sign with their respective teams, after which they will become Free Agents.

Players not on the list may still re-sign with their respective teams during free agency starting February 1, 2024.

The following players have been placed on the Bandits' protected list:

Doug Herring - Guard

Duane Notice - Guard

Jahenns Manigat - Guard

Kur Jongkuch - Forward

Nick Ward - Forward

Alex Campbell, Marlon Johnson Lead Team West to CEBL Clash Victory in Quebec City

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 01:38:40 GMT

The western conference came from behind to beat the eastern conference 107-102 in the first-ever CEBL Clash at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City.

In front of over 7,000 fans, who came to watch the first professional basketball game at the Videotron Centre, elite players from all 10 CEBL teams showed out for their respective conferences.

Vancouver’s Marlon Johnson Jr. finished with a game-high 20 points and was named the MVP of the Clash. Johnson Jr. also sealed the contest with a game-winning jumper from just outside the free throw line in target score time.

“I’m kind of surprised,” Johnson Jr. said of the Fizz Player Of The Game selection after the game. “But I’m just glad that everyone came out here and had fun tonight, that’s what it was all about. It was a phenomenal experience.”

Both teams began the game with a playoff-like intensity, as the Quebec City crowd erupted with every behind-the-back pass and long three ball.

“I think [Quebec City] is a great basketball market,” said Charles Dubé-Brais, assistant general manager and assistant coach for the Montréal Alliance, in a mid-game interview.

“The response today was amazing and we can see the growth of the sport in the area here. I think [basketball] has grown across the country and Quebec is no stranger to it. It would be very fun to see what a team could do here.”

Jackson Rowe, representing the Ottawa BlackJacks for the eastern conference, started the scoring with a three pointer. He was fouled in the process of the shot but missed the free throw. Despite the miss, the east still raced out on a 11-2 run to begin the game, which was capped off with a Jahvon Henry-Blair triple that came from just inside the CEBL Clash logo on centre court.

A second Vancouver Bandit, however, slowly clawed the western conference back into the game.

Alex Campbell scored nine of his 15 points in the first half, while AJ Hess came off the bench to drill a three that made it a two-point game after one quarter.

Both teams traded long balls to kick off the second quarter, and Calgary’s Sean Miller-Moore gave the west their first lead of the game on a jumper halfway through the frame.

Montréal’s Alain Louis, though, forced a timeout by west head coach Nelson Terroba after steamrolling to the hoop and getting a layup to fall—pushing the east out in front 51-47. The east took a six-point lead into halftime.

Following the break, Rowe drained a three pointer out of a set play and the east maintained a slim lead. Rowe finished with a team-high 19 points on the afternoon, while Henry-Blair also recorded 19 points. Scarborough’s Kyree Walker, fresh off a CEBL title, scored 18 points in the contest.

But Johnson Jr. came alive in the third, scoring eight points in the frame to keep the west within striking distance.

Cody John sunk a turnaround jumper with seconds to go in the quarter to make it a 86-84 game.

Both teams then ramped up the defensive intensity in the fourth. Jordy Tshimanga converted a three-point play to give the west a three-point lead heading into target score time. Although Rowe started target score with a three ball, the west responded with a 7-0 run to come within two points of the win.

Johnson Jr. ended the game a couple possessions later by snagging an offensive rebound and getting a jumper to rattle home.

“We all wanted to come out here and have fun, that’s what we did,” Johnson Jr. said. “And get that little money.”

The CEBL Clash also officially marked the end of the 2023 CEBL campaign. Earlier in the week, the league announced that the Montréal Alliance had been selected to host Championship Weekend in August 2024.

Mike Morreale, commissioner and co-founder of the CEBL, applauded the fans in both Montréal and Quebec City during the Clash—adding that the province has consistently turned out quality NBA and CEBL talent and deserved to host today’s competitive matchup.

“The province needed to be recognized,” Morreale said in a mid-game interview.

“We have over 7,000 fans here today, it’s an incredible building, great hospitality and it’s a pleasure to be here.”

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Vancouver Bandits Go On Sale With 2024 Season Tickets

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 22:15:04 GMT

LANGLEY, BC , August 24, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits announced Thursday that season tickets are now on sale for its highly anticipated 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season at Langley Events Centre (LEC).

Coming off the biggest year in team history – one that saw BC’s pro basketball club set records in per game average attendance and its hosting of CEBL Championship Weekend – Vancouver is primed for even greater success at the box office and on the court as part of the Bandits’ 6th season.

Season tickets are now available for purchase and can be accessed by clicking here . Thanks to a special early bird offer that extends from today to Friday, October 20, season tickets start at just $16.50 per game in the seating bowl and range in price to $37.11 with a variety of accessible price points in the baseline corner, corner, orange, navy and premium sections.

Early bird pricing for season tickets is available for prospective season ticket holders until October 20th. On October 21st, this special rate will be adjusted to reflect the Bandits’ new 2024 season ticket pricing. Individuals interested in purchasing or learning more about season tickets are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca .

Alternatively, fans can also click here to book a phone call or in-person meeting with a Bandits sales and service team member to learn more or view available seating locations.

A full seat map, price chart breakdown, season schedule and a complete list of season ticket holder benefits can be found by visiting thebandits.ca/season-tickets . The CEBL season typically runs from May to August with 20 regular season contests consisting of 10 home and 10 away games. Full season schedule details will be announced at a later date.

All Vancouver Bandits season ticket prices are inclusive of taxes and fees. Vancouver Bandits season ticket holders enjoy savings over single game buyers, secure the best available seating locations, receive dedicated service from a member of the Bandits’ sales and service team, 11 games (10 regular season + 1 potential playoff) of CEBL basketball plus a variety of other benefits.

The scheduling of this potential playoff game is subject to where the Vancouver Bandits finish in the standings following the conclusion of the 2024 CEBL regular season. Should Vancouver not qualify for the playoffs, the value of this playoff game will go toward 2025 tickets for Bandits Basketball.

“We can’t wait to start another chapter in our club’s history following a thrilling 2023 campaign that saw us welcome more Bandits fans than ever before and elevate our entertainment product to new heights. We have plenty of announcements, game day enhancements and fun surprises in store for our fans. With our sixth CEBL campaign in 2024 around the corner, I invite fans new and old to be part of the Bandits Basketball experience,” said team president Dylan Kular.

The Bandits have qualified for the CEBL postseason in each of the past three seasons (2020-23). In doing so, Vancouver has built one of the league’s most passionate fanbases who show their passion by filling LEC game after game while sporting the latest Bandits merchandise. Season ticket holders receive 20% off all Bandits merchandise sold at ATO Basketball Merchants – the official team store of the Bandits.

With a 2024 season ticket purchase, fans receive access to an exclusive $10 pricepoint via discount code for the Bandits’ “ Defend This House ” t-shirt. Upon completing their transaction, a Vancouver sales and service representative will send each account a special discount code to choose their colour of t-shirt and unlock a preferred season ticket holder rate for each t-shirt that they purchase.

All seating bowl locations are within 14 rows of the Bandits’ home court. The result is an up close and personal experience where fans can feel the energy of CEBL action as top professional athletes showcase their talents as part of one of the Lower Mainland’s best sports and entertainment atmospheres.

New for the 2024 season are the additions of more courtside row 2 seating on the team bench side of the arena bowl. Courtside row 1 seating remains sold out but fans interested in joining the priority list for available first row seats are invited to register their interest at this link to join the courtside waitlist.

For those looking to plan a group outing – whether it be a birthday, corporate function or family event – the Bandits’ executive suites, lounges and tables are a great option to consider. Featuring an aerial view of the game from LEC’s top floor, these special seating zones offer in-seat food and beverage service and other amenities to enhance the game day experience.

Details on executive suites, tables and lounges, as well as other group outings will be released at a later date.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Alex Campbell, Marlon Johnson Jr. Named to CEBL Clash Rosters

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 16:01:11 GMT

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced the 10-man rosters Friday for the East and West teams taking part in the CEBL Clash. The Clash is a showcase game featuring 20 players from around the league scheduled for Saturday, August 26 at 2 p.m. at Videotron Centre in Québec City.

All 10 CEBL franchises will be represented at the game, including four players from the Montréal Alliance, three from the Calgary Surge, two from the Brampton Honey Badgers, Ottawa BlackJacks, Scarborough Shooting Stars, Vancouver Bandits and Winnipeg Sea Bears, and one from the Edmonton Stingers, Niagara River Lions and Saskatchewan Rattlers.

Team East, coached by Chris Exilus of the 2023 CEBL Champion Shooting Stars, includes two of Scarborough’s newly crowned CEBL champion players Kyree Walker and Elijah Lufile, three Québec-born Alliance stars in Nathan Cayo, Elijah Ifejeh and Alain Louis, All-Canadian Jackson Rowe from the Blackjacks, and CEBL All-Star and the league’s first player to reach 1,000 career points, Ahmed Hill of the Alliance.

Team West, led by Nelson Terroba of this year’s CEBL Western Conference Champions, features three of Calgary’s stars in All-Canadian Sean Miller-Moore, Terry Henderson Jr., and Montreal native Jordy Tshimanga, as well as veteran CEBL stars Alex Campbell of the Vancouver Bandits and Chad Posthumus of the Winnipeg Sea Bears. Meshack Lufile of the Stingers will also suit up as a member of Team West and take on his brother Elijah.

The full team rosters of players scheduled to appear are as follows:

TEAM EAST

#0 Jahvon Blair Niagara River Lions

#8 Nathan Cayo Montréal Alliance

#9 Ahmed Hill Montréal Alliance

#14 Maxime Boursiquot Ottawa BlackJacks

#16 Kyree Walker Scarborough Shooting Stars

#21 Elijah Ifejeh Montréal Alliance

#23 Alain Louis Montréal Alliance

#30 Jackson Rowe Ottawa BlackJacks

#32 Elijah Lufile Scarborough Shooting Stars

#54 Prince Oduro Brampton Honey Badgers

TEAM WEST

#0 Sean Miller-Moore Calgary Surge

#4 Cody John Brampton Honey Badgers

#6 Alex Campbell Vancouver Bandits

#11 Terry Henderson Jr. Calgary Surge

#13 Marlon Johnson Jr. Vancouver Bandits

#15 Malik Benlevi Saskatchewan Rattlers

#16 Meshack Lufile Edmonton Stingers

#21 Chad Posthumus Winnipeg Sea Bears

#30 AJ Hess Winnipeg Sea Bears

#32 Jordy Tshimanga Calgary Surge

The CEBL Clash will be televised to a national audience on TSN live from Videotron Centre in Québec City. Tickets for the Clash are on sale now at ticketmaster.ca . The game will also be available to stream on TSN+ and free on CEBL+ Powered by BetVictor.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73 percent of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Vancouver Bandits Drop Heartbreaker in Western Conference Final

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 06:20:12 GMT

Season Ticket Deposits for the 2024 Season of Bandits Basketball are on sale now.

LANGLEY, BC , August 11, 2023 – A slow start and a pair of late turnovers proved costly for the Vancouver Bandits as they saw their season end one game earlier than they had anticipated.

The Bandits fell 77-75 to the Calgary Surge on Friday night at Langley Events Centre in the Canadian Elite Basketball League Western Conference Final.

“I just don’t think we had our best stuff today at all. Start to finish, I thought they were the aggressor, and we were just playing catchup,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius.

Vancouver was 8-12 in the regular season – and 2-1 against Calgary – but did win three of their final four games. As the host team for the CEBL’s Championship Weekend, the Bandits were guaranteed a spot, but it meant the team went 12 days between games.

The Surge opened up a 14-5 lead in the first quarter and Vancouver was in catch-up mode the rest of the game.

“I totally expected something like that. Twelve days with no games, they are playing and practicing at game speed, it is tough to motivate a group for 12 days,” Julius said. “You can only practice against yourself for so long at this time of year.”

“You could tell (Calgary) had energy and motivation that we didn’t have, and it makes sense (as) they played just a few days ago.”

Calgary led 22-15 after a period and 38-33 at the half before the Bandits finally took their first lead in the third quarter and were ahead 53-51 entering the final frame. The fourth quarter was back and forth with the score tied three times – including at 67 entering Target Score time – and seven lead changes.

The final lead change came with the Bandits ahead 75-74 – and after a pair of Vancouver turnovers – when Calgary’s Stefan Smith sank a 3-pointer to end the game.

On the winning play, Smith caught the ball at the top of the arc with Nick Ward covering him.

“Give credit to (Ward, he was moving his feet really well on the switches when I was trying to get downhill. I think he probably thought I was going to attack him again and I just wanted to get a little hesitation and as soon as I (rose) up, I knew he was too far to contest that shot,” Smith said.

It was his lone make from beyond the arc in six attempts.

“That shot is just the culmination of my hard work and my teammates and my coaches believing in me, the organization believing in me. When you have that confidence, it is not too much thinking, you just shoot the ball,” Smith said.

Smith led his team with 25 points while Sean Miller-Moore and Mason Bourcier each scored 15.

Vancouver was led by Ward’s 21 points while Alex Campbell had 18 points, which included five 3-pointers.

“I know he is heartbroken over that turnover, but we are not even in this game if it weren’t for Alex. For a captain, in a do-or-die game, what a way to show up and make plays and make shots,” Julius said.

“We knew it was going to be a battle. Veteran team, well coached. We just had to stay the course and take it one possession at a time,” said Surge coach Nelson Terroba.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy (and) Alex Campbell just went on an unbelievable heater.”

Julius also spoke to the disappointment of losing in front of their home crowd and what he called a tremendous fanbase.

“I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it. An honour and a privilege to coach here and play in front of these fans. The BC Basketball community is strong. It is what every basketball community should be across Canada,” he said.

“Others don’t have the communal togetherness that B.C. has, it is really special. And when they come out and support you like this, it is so painful, heartbreaking, not to reward them with a win. This one will burn for a long time with our team for sure.”

With the victory, the Surge will now face the Scarborough Shooting Stars on Sunday, August 13 in the CEBL Championship Game at Langley Events Centre with a 4:00 p.m. PT start time.

Championship game playoff tickets are available for purchase at this link .

Individuals interested in learning more about playoff tickets for Sunday’s CEBL championship game are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca .

Can’t get enough CEBL action? Season ticket deposits for the 2024 year of Bandits Basketball are now on sale. Click here to learn more and score your seats.

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Calgary (08/11/23)

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 20:42:11 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on August 11, 2023 at CEBL Championship Weekend.

Vancouver Bandits Take on Calgary Surge in Championship Weekend Nightcap

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 16:55:30 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (-105), hosts of Championship Weekend, will take on the one-seed Calgary Surge (-133) tonight with a spot in the CEBL championship game on the line. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 local at the Langley Events Centre.

The game will be live on TSN and also available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

Tonight’s game marks the fourth meeting of the season between Vancouver and Calgary. The Bandits took two of three contests against the Surge in the regular season, however, the margin of victory in all three games was under five points.

Vancouver knocked off Calgary by three points on June 3, and five points 11 days later. The Surge got their one and only victory over the Bandits this year, so far, in a 93-88 win at the Langley Events Centre at the end of June.

Sean Miller-Moore, Stef Smith, and Admon Gilder combined for 54 points in that last contest, while the duo of Nick Ward and Giorgi Benzhanishvili also totalled 54 points of their own for the Bandits.

Both Vancouver and Calgary are riding late-season win streaks heading into this evening’s Western Conference Final.

Despite finishing fourth in the western conference, the Bandits ended the regular season by knocking off two eastern conference playoff teams on the road. The Bandits defeated the Ottawa BlackJacks on a Duane Notice game-winning three in target score time on July 27.

Vancouver then followed that up with a three-point win over the Scarborough Shooting Stars—who will take on the Niagara River Lions in the Eastern Conference Final earlier tonight—on July 30.

All season, Vancouver has relied on big men Nick Ward and Giorgi Benzhanishvili. Ward averaged over 18 points and eight rebounds in the regular season, and Benzhanishvili added 15.7 points per game and 8.7 boards this summer. Forward Marlon Johnson Jr. also stepped up with 13 points and three threes in Vancouver’s regular season finale against the Shooting Stars.

As a team, Vancouver led the CEBL in rebounds per game (42.8). Defense, though, has been their achilles heel, as the Bandits gave up the second most points per game in the regular season (89.6).

Calgary, meanwhile, is fresh off dispatching the Edmonton Stingers 84-68 in the Western Conference Semi-Final last weekend. The win, which clinched them a spot in Championship Weekend, marked the Surge’s fifth consecutive victory.

Like they have done all season, the Surge imposed their physicality and relied on strong defence to overpower the Stingers.

Calgary outscored Edmonton 50-34 in the paint, and held the Stingers to zero fast break points.

“We knew coming in that Calgary was a physical team, they want to get to the paint, they want to impose their will on you from a physical standpoint,” Edmonton head coach Jordan Baker said after the August 6 game. “They’ve done a great job of doing that all year long.”

The Surge average the fewest points against in the CEBL this season (80.9), and average about eight steals per game.

Miller-Moore and Smith will be tasked to lead the charge for Calgary on offence. The backcourt combination racked up 16.5 and 15 points respectively this year, while Smith added nearly six assists per contest, the fourth most by any player in the league.

Calgary, however, will be without big man Simi Shittu, who left the team ahead of their win over Edmonton to join a professional team in France. Shittu led the CEBL in rebounds and defensive boards per game in the regular season.

Jordy Tshimanga stepped into the starting lineup, though, and hauled in eight boards and scored seven points on Sunday. Seven-footer Kylor Kelley also scored six points and had two blocks off the bench, while Terry Henderson Jr. totalled double-digits in points for the fourth straight game in a reserve role.

Look for Ward and Benzhanishvili to try and match Calgary’s physicality inside, and gain an edge in the rebound battle. The Surge, meanwhile, will hope their stingy stretch of defensive play continues—Calgary has given up more than 80 points only twice in their five-game win streak.

The winner of tonight’s game will represent the western conference in the CEBL championship game, and take on either the Niagara River Lions or Scarborough Shooting Stars on Sunday at the Langley Events Centre.

Tip-off for that match is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET.

Full broadcast schedule of CEBL Games of the Week on TSN can be found here . All games will also be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Court Chronicles 2023: Episode 3

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 23:32:19 GMT

The Court Chronicles docuseries gives a behind-the-scenes look at the culture and journey of the 2023 Vancouver Bandits professional basketball team, presented by Daily Hive Vancouver.

Edited by Alinar Dapilos

Vancouver Bandits Head Into Playoffs on High Note With Dramatic Win

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 03:31:00 GMT

Playoff tickets to watch the Bandits in the Western Conference Finals on Friday, August 11th are now on sale.

SCARBOROUGH, ON , July 30, 2023 – Nick Ward’s double-double night led the Vancouver Bandits to an 82-79 victory over the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the club’s regular season finale on Sunday night.

The big man notched 24 points and 11 rebounds as he shot 77 per cent from the field, helping Vancouver to its second consecutive win and third in its past four games.

Ward was supported by Marlon Johnson Jr. who added 13 points and six boards as he knocked down three of his four attempts from beyond the arc. The forward led a second unit that finished the game with a +23 edge in points off the bench as each player from the Bandits’ reserves scored six or more points.

“Shoutout to Marlon,” said Giorgi Bezhanishvili post-game. “He came out super aggressive, doing all the little things on the court…and just everyone off the bench picked up the energy and we got the win because of it.”

Isiaha Mike nearly put up a double-double of his own as he was Scarborough’s top contributor by way of 23 points and nine rebounds. Cat Barber was the team’s next leading scorer as he tallied 19 points, five rebounds and six assists as his squad lost its second consecutive game.

Despite the loss, Barber still hit a personal milestone when he hit a transition triple at the 2:41 mark of the first quarter. Those three particular points gave him 1000 career points in the CEBL, reaching the record just two days after Ahmed Hill achieved the feat with the Montréal Alliance.

The two guards are now the only players in league history to score over 1000 points and Hill made sure to be in attendance at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre to see his former teammate reach the same mark as him.

“He’s my brother,” said Barber on having Hill in attendance for the record. “I wish I was there for his game…it means a lot. Not a lot of guys get that done and to be the second player in the CEBL to do it, it’s a special moment.”

Coming into the night, the Bandits’ strength had been described as the play of its bigs. Throughout the first quarter of tonight’s contest, Vancouver showed why that was the case. Ward scored his team’s first seven points, before Johnson Jr. came in off the bench and dropped eight points of his own.

Coming out of halftime, Vancouver finally got some production out of starters not named Ward, as the team went on a 15-5 run to begin the third frame. Bezhanishvili scored the team’s first five points in the quarter, before Alex Campbell and Duane Notice each chipped in a bucket which helped the Bandits go up seven, their biggest lead to that point.

Scarborough however responded immediately as they rattled off an 11-3 run in response, capped off by a Barber buzzer-beating jumper that gave his team back the lead, 57-56 headed into the fourth.

Vancouver entered this contest following a triumphant 90-89 win that saw Notice end the contest by way of a game-winning triple.

It was a bit of déjà vu for Bandits fans as Bezhanishvili splashed a shot from deep to seal the game 82-79.

With its second victory in a row, Vancouver heads into its opportunity to host CEBL Championship Weekend on a high note thanks to big wins versus two of the eastern conference’s top teams in the Ottawa BlackJacks and Scarborough Shooting Stars.

As the host team, the Bandits have time to regroup and prepare for their date with destiny. BC’s professional basketball team awaits an eventual western conference finalist that it will face in a do-or-die playoff game as part of a Friday, Aug. 11 doubleheader. Winners of Friday’s doubleheader will advance to the CEBL championship game played on Sunday, August 13.

Single game playoff tickets for Championship Weekend are available for purchase at this link .

Individuals interested in learning more about playoff tickets for Vancouver Bandits Basketball are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits at Scarborough (07/30/23)

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 20:35:29 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits at the Scarborough Shooting Stars on July 30, 2023.

Bandits looking for second consecutive win in their regular season finale against Shooting Stars

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 18:42:33 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (+118) finish up their 2023 campaign on the road as they visit the Scarborough Shooting Stars (-160) on Sunday night from the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre with tip-off set for 7:00 pm ET.

It will be available for streaming live on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

This will be the first and only regular season matchup between the cross-conference opponents, and their first since the two squads went head-to-head in July of last year. It was Scarborough, in their inaugural season, that ended up with the edge in the season series against Vancouver in 2022, winning two out of three games.

The Bandits are heading into this contest on the heels of one of their most impressive wins of the season, as the squad picked up a narrow 90-89 victory over the Ottawa BlackJacks. Not only bumping the top team in the East into second place, but also handing them their third loss in a row.

It was Duane Notice’s heroic game-winning triple that gave the Bandits their second win in their last five outings, but it took a team effort to bring them to that point. Seven of the eight players that checked-in for the team put up eight or more points, unsurprisingly led by the forward duo of Giorgi Benzhanishvili and Nick Ward.

Benzhanishvili tallied an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Ward added a game-high 25 points and grabbed seven boards of his own.

The pairing continues to be top contributors for Vancouver, both as scorers and for their work on the glass. Leading the CEBL’s best rebounding squad (43.2 RPG), their work securing the ball has been the team’s strength all season, and that didn’t change Thursday as the Bandits grabbed four more boards than the BlackJacks.

Their efforts also earned them a +5 edge on offensive rebounds and +7 advantage on second chance points. Vancouver’s rebounding prowess also allowed them to dominate the interior as they shot an efficient 55 per cent from two-point range and ended the night +30 on points inside the paint.

Fans should keep an eye out for a glass battle as the Shooting Stars are also a top-five rebounding team (40 RPG) and will give the Bandits a good test before both teams head into the post-season.

Most notably, Scarborough will hope for a big game from Kalif Young. Like Ward (7.8 RPG) and Benzhanishvili (9.0 RPG), the big man is a top-ten rebounder in the league (7.7 RPG) and will likely be fighting in the paint against Vancouver’s duo all night. In Scarborough’s latest outing the forward did a bit of everything on route to a double-double as Young notched 13 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.

Despite the big man’s valiant effort, the Shooting Stars still took a 103-86 loss to the defending champion Brampton Honey Badgers and snapped a three-game win streak as a result. Tonight’s contest was also meant to be Scarborough’s regular season finale, but after their game on Friday was rescheduled to July 31, it will now be the first of a back-to-back set instead.

In said defeat, the team held their own in most statistical categories against Brampton, but they struggled mightily from beyond the arch. Scarborough made just two triples on a 10 per cent clip, ending up a -18 on points from distance as a result. Their poor shooting, mixed with a major 22-8 run surrendered in the third quarter is what ultimately led to their first loss in four games.

There were some positives for the Shooting Stars to take from the game, as they actually led in scoring through the first, second, and fourth quarters, and if it weren’t for the lopsided third, they would’ve had a shot at making it four wins in a row. The squad will look to put together a full 40-minute performance as they try to get back in the win column.

Fans of Scarborough should also keep their eyes on Cat Barber, as the team’s top-scorer is only seven points away from reaching the 1000-point mark for his career in the CEBL. If he reaches the milestone tonight, he’ll be the second player ever in league history to get there, doing it only two days after his former teammate Ahmed Hill did it.

In terms of playoff implications, as host city, Vancouver is locked into a spot at Championship Weekend, so a win or loss won’t change much for positioning but can help them gain some momentum heading in.

The Shooting Stars have already clinched a playoff spot as well, but the team has a chance to make their path to a second-straight finals appearance easier if they win out to end the season. If Scarborough can win both of their final two games, they would leap over the BlackJacks for second in the East, avoiding the play-in as a result.

Full conference standings can be found here .

All games will also be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Full list of betting props available on BetVictor . Preview written by Zulfi Sheikh (@zulfi_sheikh).

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball. The CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Duane Notice Gives Vancouver Bandits a Stunning 90-89 Win Over Ottawa BlackJacks

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 04:48:42 GMT

OTTAWA, ON , July 27, 2023 – A game-winning three-pointer by Duane Notice gave the Vancouver Bandits (7-12) a 90-89 upset victory over the Ottawa BlackJacks (12-8) on Thursday night at TD Place.

Vancouver scored 58 points in the paint tonight—compared to 28 paint points by Ottawa—but it was the three-point ball that clinched the stunning victory.

“Duane hit a huge shot,” Nick Ward said after the game. “I can’t forget about my brother Duane Notice. It was a huge win.”

In a game that featured over 20 lead changes, the Bandits found themselves trailing by four points late in Target Score time. The BlackJacks were one point away from snapping a two-game losing streak, however, after Doug Herring Jr. cut the lead to two, the New York product got to the free throw line on Vancouver’s next offensive possession.

With the score at 89-87 and a chance to complete a three-point play, Herring Jr. missed the free throw but collected his own rebound and found Notice at the top of the three-point line. Notice then knocked down the shot to stun the BlackJacks.

“Honestly, I was prepared for it,” Notice said. “It sounds crazy, but we do a drill in practice where we work on getting offensive rebounds from free throws. In that situation, coach Kyle Julius mentioned it and I was just being ready.”

Deng Adel led the charge offensively for Ottawa on the night. Adel scored a season-high 28 points (eight of which came in Target Score time) on 50 per cent shooting from the field and hauled in seven rebounds.

“I was just being aggressive, making the right reads and I’m just trying to make the right play at all times,” Adel said. “It wasn’t enough, but we just gotta stay together and stay aggressive.”

Matt Coleman III chipped in with 17 points and three three-pointers off the bench and Thomas Scrubb had 18 points and four long balls.

While the BlackJacks welcomed Zena Edosomwan back to the lineup after a one-month absence tonight, Ottawa was without forward Jackson Rowe, who was averaging 15.3 points and 6.6 rebounds in 18 games this season. Edosomwan finished with five points and grabbed nine rebounds in his return to the BlackJacks’ starting lineup.

“It wasn’t a great game by us, but we competed, we fought. There were a lot of bodies flying around, they’re a big, physical team,” Ottawa head coach James Derouin said. “I thought our guys fought right until the end.”

In the first quarter, Ottawa used a 13-0 run to take a 10-point lead after one. Adel scored eight points in that run, and collected 10 points in the first quarter.

Ward finished with a team-high 25 points. His frontcourt mate Giorgi Bezhanishvili secured a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, as Vancouver’s big men combined to give Ottawa fits all night.

Vancouver, who is leading the league in rebounds per game, had a 44-40 edge on the glass and hauled in 14 offensive boards as a team.

“I love this group. I’ve said they practice like they’re in first place all year. They’re great fighters,” Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius said. “That was a good effort by us tonight for sure.”

The BlackJacks started the third quarter with two quick threes, but both teams traded blows in the frame. Vancouver used a 7-2 run—capped off with an Alex Campbell three-pointer—to snag a five-point lead heading into the fourth.

Vancouver carried that momentum into Target Score time, but Ottawa stayed within striking distance to level the game at 85 (with a target score of 90 points). Scrubb managed to give Ottawa the lead with a layup in transition, and Adel brought them to within a point of victory, but the Bandits squeaked out the win with five straight points on their final possession of the night.

With the victory, Vancouver earned its third road victory of the year and got some momentum heading into Championship Weekend at Langley Events Centre August 9-13. The Bandits will close out the regular season this Sunday on the road in Scarborough.

The Bandits will be back at Langley Events Centre on Friday, August 11, having qualified for Championship Weekend as the host team. Vancouver will be facing a familiar rival in the Western Conference Final, to see which team advances to the Championship game that will be played on Sunday, August 13.

Single game playoff tickets for Championship Weekend are available for purchase at this link .

Individuals interested in learning more about playoff tickets for Vancouver Bandits Basketball are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits at Ottawa (07/27/23)

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 20:32:24 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits at the Ottawa BlackJacks on July 27, 2023.

Bandits sqaure off against Ottawa on the road

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:20:05 GMT

The Ottawa BlackJacks (12-7) (-163) will look to snap a two-game losing skid and enter the CEBL playoffs with some momentum in their regular season finale against the Vancouver Bandits (6-12) (+118) at 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Place.

The game will also be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

After winning eight consecutive games, and vaulting into first place in the eastern conference, the BlackJacks have dropped two straight contests and risk losing an automatic bye into Championship Weekend next month. Ottawa lost both games last week to the Niagara River Lions, who are now only one half game back of Ottawa for first place in the conference.

The Scarborough Shooting Stars are third in the east and are also fighting for a top-two finish in the conference. Despite losing to Brampton last night, Scarborough has two games left in the regular season and sit one and a half games back of Ottawa for first place.

The BlackJacks won the turnover battle and scored more points in the paint against Niagara in their last game — a 15-point loss at the Meridian Centre on Sunday — but struggled to contain the River Lions’ sharpshooters.

Khalil Ahmad went off for a game-high 29 points, shooting nearly 70 per cent from the field and 60 per cent from three point range. As a team, Niagara shot 56 per cent in the game, and converted 13 of their 16 three point attempts.

Kadre Gray, who leads the CEBL in assists per game (6.6), led the way for Ottawa with 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

The Bandits, who have sealed their ticket to Championship Weekend by virtue of hosting the event, snapped a five-game losing streak with a 10-point victory over Edmonton on July 21. But followed that up with a 90-79 loss to the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Sunday.

All season, Vancouver has been led by big men Giorgi Bezhanishvili and Nick Ward, who’s 17.8 points per game ranks him eighth in the league. Ward, who gets a majority of his buckets near the hoop, is also shooting 61.3 per cent from the field, which is leading the CEBL.

Bezhanishvili has been averaging just under 16 points and nine rebounds per game this year.

In their last game, the Bandits had another scoring option pick up some of the slack on offence. University of South Carolina guard Duane Notice, making his seventh start of the season, scored a season-high 19 points against the Sea Bears.

Tonight’s matchup promises to be a battle between Vancouver’s big men and Jackson Rowe, a 6’7” forward from Toronto who has scored less than double-digits in a game only three times this season. Forward Deng Adel is leading the BlackJacks in points per game (16.8) and will also look to rebound from a 11 point and 33 per cent shooting night on Sunday.

The Bandits are leading the CEBL in rebounds per game (43.4) and hold the edge over Ottawa on the offensive glass, however, defence has been the team’s achilles heel. Vancouver is giving up a league-high 90.2 points per game. Ottawa’s defence, meanwhile, is middle of the pack in the CEBL, averaging just over 85 points against per contest.

Ottawa and Vancouver last faced off on July 9, when the BlackJacks earned a four point victory at the Langley Events Centre. Ward and Bezhanishvili combined for 30 points, and Notice chipped in with 14 points off the bench, but Rowe paced Ottawa to victory with a game-high 26 points.

After tonight’s game, the Bandits will travel to Scarborough to cap off their regular season with a meeting against the Shooting Stars on July 30.

Ottawa will look to strengthen their grip on the top spot in the eastern conference with a win tonight.

The River Lions, who are chasing that top spot in the east, are scheduled to face off against the Montréal Alliance and Brampton Honey Badgers later this week to cap off their 2023 regular season.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Vancouver Bandits Outlasted by Winnipeg Sea Bears on Fan Appreciation Night

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 06:06:17 GMT

Bandits will play Western Conference Finals at LEC against an opponent to be determined in the CEBL playoffs.

LANGLEY, BC , July 23, 2023 – A one-point game in the third quarter spiraled out of control as the Vancouver Bandits fell to the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

It was the fourth time in as many tries the Sea Bears defeated Vancouver, this time winning 90-79 on Sunday night at Langley Events Centre in Canadian Elite Basketball League action.

The Bandits had been hoping to build some consistency to their game and momentum heading into the event. Unfortunately, that has been hard to come by as the loss was their eighth defeat in the past 10 games leaving them with a 6-12 record. Winnipeg improves to 12-7 as they take another step closer to clinching top spot in the Western Conference and the accompanying bye into the division semifinal game.

“There is no sugarcoating it,” Vancouver head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said.

“We have been bad. I have been bad, but we are still in the fight. We have 18 days left before that conference final game, so we have to be ready for that.”

He was referencing the fact that as the host team, Vancouver is one of the final four teams playing in Championship Weekend at Langley Events Centre.

As has been the case for much of this season, Winnipeg’s Teddy Allen did the bulk of the offensive damage. He entered the game averaging 26.6 points per game (second in the league) and surpassed that mark in the third quarter. He finished with a well-balanced stat line of 32 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and five steals.

“He is an amazing scorer, he is talented and he takes the pressure off a lot of our other guys,” said Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor. “Whenever we need a bucket, whenever we need a play, he is always there to be a threat. He attracts too much attention – it gives other players so much more space.”

While Allen scored the most points, he had plenty of help with AJ Hess chipping in 16, Glen Yang scoring 15 and EJ Anosike adding 12.

At the other end of the floor, Nick Ward had 22 points and 14 rebounds, leading the Bandits in both categories, while Duane Notice scored 19, but they were the only two to reach double figures.

Vancouver trailed 26-17 after a period before battling back to within four at the half, 42-38. The Bandits did manage twice to pull ahead in the third quarter before the Sea Bears closed the period on a 14-2 run. They led by double digits nearly the rest of the way. The closest the Bandits got was to within seven points during Target Score time.

But Vancouver shot just 4-for-12 during that stretch, also committing three turnovers and surrendering seven offensive rebounds. For the game, the Sea Bears pulled down a whopping 18 rebounds off the offensive glass.

The Bandits now embark on a two-game road trip to Ontario to close out the regular season with dates against the Ottawa BlackJacks on Thursday, July 27 and then a visit to Scarborough to face the Shooting Stars on Sunday, July 30.

Julius said the focus is not so much on the results, but on getting better as a team, especially as Sunday’s game marked the ninth time this season they have integrated a player on short notice, this time the return of point guard Marek Klassen.

Regardless of the results of those two games, the Bandits will be back at Langley Events Centre on Friday, August 11, having qualified for Championship Weekend as the host team. Vancouver will be facing one of their divisional foes in the Western Conference Final, to see which team advances to the Championship game that will be played on Sunday, August 13.

Single game playoff tickets are available for purchase at this link .

Individuals interested in learning more about playoff tickets for Vancouver Bandits Basketball are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Winnipeg eyes one seed in visit to Vancouver on Sunday

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 21:37:07 GMT

The Winnipeg Sea Bears (-118) will look to secure a regular season sweep of the Vancouver Bandits (-114) at Langley Events Centre at 7 p.m. PT on Sunday and move one step closer to clinching first place in the Western Conference.

The game will be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

The Sea Bears enter the contest atop the West at 11-7 with the Calgary Surge close behind in second place at 10-8. To earn first place and home advantage for the Western semifinal, Winnipeg would clinch first with either wins in both their final games, one win and a Calgary loss, or two Surge losses.

Ahead of the final two games of the regular season, Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor says his squad has to be locked in for the game against his former team on Sunday.

“It's just about teamwork… and showing up being ready to compete physically,” Taylor said after the loss to Calgary on Thursday. “We know the Bandits are trying to get themselves right before the Championship Weekend and we know that's going to be a challenging game. So we've got to focus on our performance and play a lot better than we played tonight.”

With two intra-conference games remaining for both Calgary and Winnipeg, each team has seven wins against Western opponents. However, the Surge have the head-to-head advantage over the Sea Bears after defeating them at home earlier in the week.

Meanwhile, Vancouver enters the game in fifth place in the West at 6-11 on the season after snapping a five-game losing streak with a win over Edmonton on Friday night.

“Believe it or not, we got an optimistic group,” Bandits’ veteran Alex Campbell said after a 20-point performance against the Stingers. “We [were] bleeding out a little bit, but today feels good to stop the bleeding and get a win. [It’s] just about building obviously towards championship weekend now.”

The Bandits enter the final week of the regular season less stressed than other teams in the league. They have a spot in the Western Conference Final secured by hosting CEBL Championship Weekend from August 11-13.

“We only have to win one game,” Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius said. “That's been the conversation all season long is just figuring out how we can get better day by day, so we are sharpest for that particular day.”

Winnipeg boasts two of the league’s best scorers, Teddy Allen and EJ Anosike. Allen is second in the CEBL in scoring at 26.6 points per game and leads the league in minutes. He’s also in the top 10 in rebounds per game at 7.5 and three-pointers made at 60.

Allen is coming off of a 14-point performance against Calgary where he was ejected in the third quarter after picking up his second technical foul. Julius says the Bandits will have to be careful with their approach to guarding the Sea Bears’ star.

“We have a plan…maybe we don't show it though,” Julius said. “Maybe we see those guys on [Championship Weekend]. So we’re trying to go out of our way to be pretty generic against teams we think we might see on the 11th. We have that advantage.”

Outside of Allen, Anosike is sixth in the league in points per game at 18.4 and second in total offensive rebounds at 60 behind teammate Chad Posthumus. Jelani Watson-Gayle is a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year as well with 13.1 points off the bench and a league-best three-point percentage of 50.

While the Sea Bears feature the league’s most efficient three-point shooter, the Bandits have the most effective player from the field. Big man Nick Ward enters Sunday’s contest as the CEBL leader in field goal percentage at 62.1. He also averages a team-high 17.6 points per game, to go along with 7.5 rebounds per game.

He’s joined in the frontcourt by Giorgi Bezhanishvili and recent acquisition Marlon Johnson Jr. Bezhanishvili is just behind Ward in scoring at 16.6 points per game while grabbing nine rebounds per game. The Bandits also receive contributions from Campbell and veteran guards Doug Herring Jr. and Malcolm Duvivier.

Vancouver also signed point guard Marek Klassen on Saturday to join the team for the remainder of the season. Klassen, a homegrown talent from Abbotsford, is the franchise leader in assists and will provide some flexibility for the Bandits as a Canadian point guard with an international-heavy frontcourt.

“We have some weapons and if we're hitting on all cylinders like we were in that first half [against Edmonton], I think will be a tough out for anybody on that final weekend,” Julius said.

The Sea Bears won the previous meetings with Vancouver this season. In their inaugural game at home, they defeated the Bandits 90-85 and followed that up with a 106-103 win at Langley Events Centre early in June. They knocked off Vancouver again on June 21 at Canada Life Centre by a score of 93-84.

“I think it's been really difficult this year to play and to kind of keep everybody working with a sense of urgency, knowing that you have that free pass,” Julius said. “It's been even embarrassing at times. I think now that it's getting closer to that time, we're kind of settling in.”

It’s the final home game of the regular season for the Bandits, who will hit the road for matchups with Ottawa and Scarborough later this week. The Sea Bears will close out their regular season at home against the Edmonton Stingers next Saturday.

All games are available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 per cent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Winnipeg (07/23/23)

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 20:30:19 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits hosting the Winnipeg Sea Bears on July 23, 2023.

Vancouver Bandits Earn Gritty Win Over the Edmonton Stingers

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 06:06:26 GMT

Bandits play last home game this Sunday at LEC vs. the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

LANGLEY, BC , July 21, 2023 – One game doesn’t make a season, but it was a much-needed step in the right direction.

The Vancouver Bandits picked up a much-needed victory to halt its five-game losing skid, defeating the Edmonton Stingers 84-74 on Friday night at Langley Events Centre in Canadian Elite Basketball League action.

Vancouver is 6-11 on the season while Edmonton sits at 8-10, tied for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference standings.

Coming off a blowout loss two days earlier in Saskatchewan, Vancouver used a dominant first half to earn their first victory since July 1, which also came against this same Stingers squad.

Central to Friday’s positive result was a strong defensive effort – Edmonton was held to 26 points in the first half – and an unstoppable Nick Ward as the Bandits big man was too much for the Stingers.

Ward scored 18 points, hauled in eight rebounds, dished out two assists and drew seven fouls in the first 20 minutes alone and finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

And while Ward dominated the inside, Alex Campbell provided some much-needed outside scoring with 20 points, including a pair of triples – one of which was the game-winner – during Target Score time.

“I am a shooter so if I get the opportunity, it is up,” Campbell said. “Doug (Herring Jr.) saw me on the wing, so I raised (my hand) and luckily knocked it down.”

Despite the lengthy-losing streak, Campbell said the players have kept their heads up during the struggles.

“Believe it or not, we have an optimistic group,” he said. “Today, it felt good to stop the bleeding and get the win. It is just about building towards Championship Weekend .”

Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said that replicating the necessary urgency of needing victories has been a challenge, knowing they have a spot in next month’s Championship Weekend as the host team.

“That has been the conversation all season long, just figuring out how we can get better day-by-day so we can be our sharpest for that particular day,” he said.

Defensively on Friday, he said the team followed their assignments, while of offence, their dual big-man combination of Ward and Giorgi Bezhanishvili works best when the inside game is complimented by an outside game.

And they finally received that on Friday, especially in the second half as they hit five of their 12 three-point attempts. For the game, the team was 8-for-26 (30.8 per cent).

“We need that compliment of shooting from outside and we haven’t really had it a lot this year. Today, we had a good blend of perimeter shooting and some good interior play,” Julius said.

“It is all about executing; when all of us are on the same page, good things happen.

“We have some weapons and if we are hitting on all cylinders like we were in the first half, I think we will be a tough out for anybody on that final weekend.”

While Ward and Campbell each cracked the 20-point mark, Bezhanishvili scored 16, a dozen of which came in the second half. Herring directed the offence, finishing with nine assists, to go along with his eight points and three steals.

After a first half to forget, the Stingers did make things interesting in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to as low as six points, but could get no closer.

The inability to get the ball consistently in the paint in the first half proved costly, said Edmonton coach Jordan Baker, referencing the fact his team was outscored 28-12 in the paint in quarters one and two. They would finish the game with 36 points in the paint.

“We weren’t putting the ball into the basket, and it avalanched into an 18-point deficit,” he said.

Another factor was the team’s inability to slow Ward on the glass as he hauled in seven offensive rebounds, with his team needing to be better positionally.

As for the second half surge, Baker said it is too late in the season for morale victories.

“It is winning time now. Every game is a must-win for us. We showed what we could have been for the full 40, but when you (only) play 15 minutes of Edmonton Stingers basketball, it becomes challenging to win games,” he said.

Isiah Osborne led the Stingers with 15 points, while Nick Hornsby scored 14 and Aher Uguak and Brody Clarke each had 11.

Vancouver is right back in action on Sunday night as they host the western conference-leading Winnipeg Sea Bears (11-7) at Langley Events Centre on Fan Appreciation Night in the Bandits’ final regular season home game before they wrap up with a pair of road contests.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT against the Sea Bears. Single game tickets are available for purchase at this link .

A key highlight of Vancouver’s fifth CEBL campaign will be its hosting of Championship Weekend, which takes place between Friday, August 11 and Sunday, August 13. An annual celebration of the highest level of Canadian professional basketball, Championship Weekend features a postseason format that combines three games of playoff basketball as part of a multi-day festival experience designed to celebrate the intersection of arts, culture and sport. As hosts of Championship Weekend, the Bandits receive an automatic berth in the conference finals doubleheader on Friday, August 11.

Individuals interested in learning more about tickets for the Vancouver Bandits’ 2023 season are kindly asked to call (604) 455-8881 or email tickets@thebandits.ca . A complete regular season schedule can be found by clicking here .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Edmonton (07/21/23)

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 20:03:34 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits hosting the Edmonton Stingers on July 21, 2023.

Vancouver Bandits battle Stingers tonight

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 17:57:34 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (-105) will look to snap a five-game losing streak and find championship form in a matchup with the Edmonton Stingers (-133) at Langley Events Centre at 7:30 p.m. PT on Friday.

The game will be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

Vancouver enters the game in fifth place in the West at 5-11 on the season, five games back of first place. However, the Bandits have a spot in the Western Conference Final secured by hosting CEBL Championship Weekend from August 11-13.

On the other side, the Stingers find themselves in a tight race to land one of two remaining playoff spots available in the conference. Edmonton enters the game in third place at 8-9, 2.5 games back of first-place Winnipeg, one game behind second-place Calgary and a half-game ahead of fourth-place Saskatchewan.

The Stingers close the regular season on a four-game road trip against their fellow Western teams. They won their first game of the trip 89-70 over Saskatchewan and face the Surge and Sea Bears following Friday’s clash with Vancouver.

It’s the third and final meeting of the regular season between the Stingers and Bandits. The teams split their previous meetings during a home-and-home on the Canada Day long weekend. Vancouver won the first meeting at Langley Events Centre 90-80 before Edmonton responded with a 92-78 home win of their own just two days later.

The Bandits were led to victory by a 21-point performance from Jahenns Manigat. Vancouver assisted on 21 of their 30 field goals in the win, with 44 points off the bench as well.

In the rematch, the Stingers shut down the Bandits’ offence and held them to 36 per cent shooting from the field and 21 per cent from three. Aher Uguak led the way offensively for Edmonton with 19 points while Shane Gibson came off the bench to score 10 points against his former team just days after being released by them.

In both games, Edmonton was able to contain the Bandits’ star frontcourt duo of Nick Ward and Giorgi Bezhanishvili. Both big men have been factors both offensively and on the glass this season, but the Stingers were able to limit their effectiveness.

Neither player reached 20 points in the win and Edmonton held Bezhanishvili to 10 points and Ward to eight in the loss. Ward grabbed a combined nine rebounds in the two games while “Giorgi B” snagged just five.

Edmonton’s defence has been one of the most impactful in the CEBL this season. The Stingers boast the best points-against average in the league at 82.7 and the second-most steals per game at 8.4.

The Stingers also feature a top-five offence in the CEBL. They’re fourth in points per game, third in field goal percentage and second in assists. Head coach Jordan Baker’s team plays a team-oriented style with several angles of attack.

Brody Clarke leads the team in points per game at 14.4, but the leading scorer and most-impactful player often change from night to night. Isiah Osborne paced the offence with 26 points against Saskatchewan on Saturday while Nick Hornsby was an assist away from a triple-double.

Uguak and Gibson are always a threat for Edmonton, while players like Carlton Bragg Jr., Geoffrey James, Munis Tutu and Meshack Lufile provide added depth.

On the other side, Vancouver averages the fifth-most points per game in the CEBL, but allow the most points-against at 91.3.

The Bandits have relied on the consistent presence of Ward and Bezhanishvili to power their offence. They’ve also helped the squad to a league-best 43 rebounds per game, thanks to averages of 9.2 for Bezhanishvili and 7.2 for Ward.

Ward leads the team in scoring at 17.1 points per game on a league-best 61.7 per cent shooting from the floor and “Giorgi B” is not far behind at 16.7 points per game. However, Bezhanishvili missed the last game against Saskatchewan.

Recent acquisition Marlon Johnson Jr. and veteran Bandit Malcolm Duvivier also provide contributions for Vancouver, but the squad is still looking for a consistent third option.

The Bandits will hope to find championship form in the final meeting of the regular season with the Stingers, while Edmonton wishes it won’t be the last meeting of the summer.

All games are available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 per cent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Vancouver Bandits falter on the road versus Saskatchewan Rattlers

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 05:08:52 GMT

SASKATOON, SK , July 19, 2023 – The Vancouver Bandits were unable to keep up with Justin Wright-Foreman, who once again led the Saskatchewan Rattlers with 22 points as the squad picked up its second consecutive win in a 103-82 victory over the Bandits on Wednesday night.

The league’s points per game leader finished with a stat line of 22 points and four rebounds on over 50 per cent shooting from the field.

Wright-Foreman also drew nine fouls and went a perfect 9-of-9 from the line, including the game-winning free throw.

Wright-Foreman was helped by his supporting cast, as four other players also scored in double figures, led by Trey Niemi who put up a season-high 20 points, shooting over 70 per cent from the field in just 18 minutes of action.

“I can’t say enough about him (Trey Niemi),” said Saskatchewan head coach Tanner Massey. “I think this is a springboard game for him to finish the season with us. We needed that scoring and playmaking.”

Quenton DeCosey and Michael Nuga put up 16 points each, with Malik Benlevi’s 12 points rounding things out as the Rattlers put up 103 points.

On the other side, Nick Ward led the way for Vancouver with a team-high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Alex Campbell also added 11 points and Shaquille Keith had one of his better performances of the season with a near double-double of 10 points and eight rebounds.

Fans at the SaskTel Centre were treated to a back-and-forth affair in the first couple minutes of the contest as the two squads traded baskets. It wasn’t until halfway through the first frame, with the teams tied 9-9, that Saskatchewan began separating themselves.

The Rattlers went on an 18-2 run from that point on thanks to Vancouver committing five turnovers in the opening frame.

Things didn’t fare much better for the Bandits in the second quarter as Vancouver couldn’t contain the Rattlers’ scoring threats.

DeCosey and Niemi stepped up off the pine, doing most of the Rattlers’ damage throughout that stretch. The pairing put up 11 and 10 points respectively, helping their second unit to a +18 edge on bench scoring as Saskatchewan held a 49-37 lead at the break.

Ward tried to spark Vancouver back into the game in the third quarter, scoring seven straight points for the Bandits at one point, but the squad couldn’t put a run together. Despite scoring a game-high 19 points through three quarters, on 88 per cent shooting individually, Ward’s club team shot a lowly 37 per cent from the field as they faced an 80-62 deficit heading into the fourth.

Wright-Foreman closed things out for the Rattlers. The guard scored six of Saskatchewan’s final nine points, ending the contest at the free throw line. He knocked down a game-winning free throw to ice the game at 103-82.

His squad keeps their playoff hopes alive as they head into their final two games of the season. The Rattlers have the opportunity to gain even more ground in the west as they return to action on Saturday to take on the second-seeded Calgary Surge, who sit just one game ahead of them in the standings.

The Bandits head back to Langley Events Centre where they’ll hope to snap their losing skid as they play host to the Edmonton Stingers on Friday and the western conference-leading Winnipeg Sea Bears on Sunday.

“We’re going into every game like it’s a playoff game,” said Ward on his team’s mindset heading into the final couple games of their regular season. “That’s our culture.”

The Bandits’ next game tips off Friday, July 21st at 7:30 p.m. PT against the Edmonton Stingers.

Single game tickets are available for purchase at this link .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits at Saskatchewan (07/19/23)

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 20:01:23 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits at the Saskatchewan Rattlers on July 19, 2023.

Vancouver Bandits hope to snap losing skid in road tilt against Saskatchewan Rattlers

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 16:15:02 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (+102) look to end their four-game losing streak as they visit the Saskatchewan Rattlers (-143) on Wednesday at 7:30 pm local/9:30 pm ET from the SaskTel Centre.

It will be nationally televised live on TSN 4/5 as part of a double-header for TSN’s CEBL game of the week and will also be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

After facing off twice prior to this matchup, Wednesday night will be the third and final battle between the Western Conference Opponents this regular season. In their first two games, it was a fairly even showing as the two squads split the series at one a piece.

What’s remained constant in this head-to-head has been the leaders for both squads, even if the outcomes have varied. For the Rattlers it was Justin Wright-Foreman doing a majority of the work – as he’s been doing all season - averaging 28 points, 7.5 rebounds, and six assists.

The league’s points per game leader (29.7 PPG) has been carrying the load offensively for Saskatchewan the entire 2023 campaign, accounting for more than a third of their scoring production every night. So, it goes without saying, if they’re going to win this game, they’ll need Wright-Foreman to keep doing what he’s doing.

In their most-recent contest, the guard did just that, as he led the Rattlers to a narrow 86-84 victory over the Brampton Honey Badgers by way of his franchise-record 39 points. The Queens, New York, native and his squad ran rough shots inside the paint throughout the night as they shot over 50 per cent from inside the arch and outscored their opponents on points in the paint.

Wright-Foreman wasn’t the only one to find success against the defending champions, as Michael Nuga, who started as opposed to his usual role off the bench, added in 15 points and six rebounds. The guard has been on form as of late, scoring in double figures in Saskatchewan’s last three outings, averaging 17.7 points per game during that span.

The duo has helped the Rattlers to their best stretch this season, as they’ve won three of their last five games. It’s impressive on its own, but even more so, considering they only won four times in their 12 contests before said stretch.

Fans of the team hope the squad can keep the wins coming as they try and battle out of the bottom of the conference and try to keep their playoff hopes alive.

On the other side, for the Bandits, their leader through the series has been Nick Ward. The forward’s averaged a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds during those two games. He also shot an identically efficient 66 per cent from the field both times against the Rattlers, and although it may be unsurprising considering he’s second in the CEBL for field goal percentage (60.4 per cent), it’s still impressive.

Vancouver will need Ward to keep up his strong play as they hope to get back in the win column. The squad heads into this matchup on the heels of a three-game home stand where they went winless, on route to the aforementioned four-game skid. In their latest loss, the Bandits matched a season-low in points as they took a 79-74 defeat to the Montréal Alliance, shooting just 36 per cent from the field along the way.

It felt clear that the absence of Ward – who missed that game against the Alliance – left a void that the Bandits struggled to fill. The big man is not only top-10 in the league for field goal percentage, but also for points (17 PPG), rebounds (7.6), and blocks (1.1).

Without his presence holding down the paint, Montréal felt no resistance on the night as they shot over 50 per cent from two-point range. Doing almost all their damage exclusively from the interior, they held a +22 edge on points in the paint, scoring nine more baskets than Vancouver did from inside the arch.

Malcolm Duvivier and rookie Diego Maffia tallied 11 and 10 points respectively, as the team’s only double-digit scorers on the night.

Despite their recent woes, the team does have some reason for optimism. The Bandits may have found a new contributor in the form of recent addition Kur Jongkuch. In just his fifth game with the team, he had his best outing of the season with nine points, six rebounds, and two blocks in a season-high 17 minutes of action off the bench.

After their game, Vancouver head coach Kyle Julius described the forward as the team’s lone bright spot on the night, suggesting that Jongkuch deserved more minutes after that performance. If the big man can provide a spark for this team off the bench, and Ward can return without missing a beat, it could go a long way for the Bandits as they try to head into the playoffs with some momentum.

In terms of playoff implications, since Vancouver is guaranteed a spot at Championship Weekend as the host city, it all falls onto Saskatchewan. With just one game separating them and the Edmonton Stingers above them, and just three games remaining for both teams, the margin of error is razor thin. A win would be vital for the Rattlers if they want to keep their hopes for post-season basketball alive.

All games will be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Full list of betting props available on BetVictor . Preview written by Zulfi Sheikh (@zulfi_sheikh).

The full western conference standings can be found here .

Vancouver Bandits Edged Out by Montréal Alliance

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 03:44:42 GMT

Final two home games of the Bandits' regular season are at LEC this Friday, July 21 and Sunday, July 23.

LANGLEY, B.C. , July 16, 2023 – Head coach and general manager Kyle Julius is looking for answers following another loss for his struggling Vancouver Bandits squad.

The Bandits led 70-69 heading into Target Score time but were outscored 10-4 to fall 79-74 to the visiting Montréal Alliance in Canadian Elite Basketball League action on Sunday at Langley Events Centre.

The 74 points tied a season-low for the Bandits and while the 79 points they surrendered was well below their average of 91.3 points per game (worst in the league), that brought little solace to Julius.

“We are bad right now. We are very bad and I don’t think it is just the offence. I think it is kind of everything,” he said.

The loss was a fourth straight for Vancouver, which fell to 5-10 on the season. Montréal improved to 6-9.

Guaranteed a spot in the CEBL’s Championship Weekend as the host team, Julius said the team needs to do some “soul searching” as they enter the last two weeks of the regular season.

A common theme in both of the Bandits’ losses this weekend – they fell at home on Friday night 96-91 to the Brampton Honey Badgers – was the struggle to connect consistently from beyond the arc as they shot 25 per cent (9-for-36) in the first game and 26.5 per cent (9-for-34) against the Alliance.

Sunday’s contest began with the Bandits looking like they had solved their shooting woes, as they sank four of their first nine attempts from the three-point line. Despite that, they still trailed 18-17 after a quarter and 41-38 at the half, before clawing back to level the score at 55 after three quarters.

But once the Target Score frame began, the Bandits committed a pair of turnovers and scored just a single point on their first six possessions. At the other end, Montréal converted an offensive rebound into a bucket, sank two free throws and made a pair of three-pointers for the 10 points they needed.

“We played a 40-minute game. A lot of ups and downs, but we stayed the course. I kept telling them to keep the game close and we will have a chance at the end and we pulled it off,” said Alliance coach Derrick Alston Sr.

It was a back-and-forth game with no team leading by more than five points and 24 lead changes along the way.

Neither team shot well from downtown as Montréal was 8-for-26 (30.8 per cent).

“We can’t throw it into the ocean right now, but we made the shots when it counted,” Alston said. “We always talk about if you get two threes in Target Score, you have a really good chance to win.”

Treveon Graham and Ahmed Hill each made a clutch three in the Target Score period and finished with 24 and 17 points, respectively, for the Alliance, while Alain Louis had 21.

The trio combined for 62 points as the Montréal bench was outscored 39-7.

Unfortunately for the Bandits, they had no one to match Montréal’s core three as Malcolm Duvivier and Diego Maffia led the Vancouver attack, but only had 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Vancouver was missing a key component to their offence in big man Nick Ward, who was suspended for the game after getting two more technical fouls in Friday’s contest.

In his absence, Kur Jongkuch did get some extended playing time and made a positive impression with nine points, six rebounds (four on the offensive end) and a pair of blocked shots.

“Definitely a bright spot,” Julius said. “That is how he works every day. We probably should have given him some minutes a lot sooner.”

Vancouver is back in action this Wednesday, July 19 at SaskTel Centre to face the Saskatchewan Rattlers. The next Bandits home game at Langley Events Centre is set for Friday, July 21 with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. against the Edmonton Stingers.

Single game tickets are available for purchase at this link .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Montreal (07/16/23)

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 19:59:13 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits hosting the Montreal Alliance on July 16, 2023.

Both teams look to snap losing streak as Vancouver Bandits take on Montréal Alliance

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 17:33:05 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (-240) host the Montréal Alliance (+165) as both squads look to snap two-game skids on Sunday at 5:00 pm local/8:00 pm ET from the Langley Events Centre.

It will be available for streaming live on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

This will be the one and only regular season matchup between the cross-conference opponents in 2023 and is their first head-to-head since their series split from last year’s campaign.

Fans shouldn’t expect too much carryover from those contests as the two squads feature a lot of new names this time around. The dominant big man duo for Vancouver in Giorgi Benzhanishvili and Nick Ward weren’t there a year ago, and neither was Montréal’s guard-forward pairing of Ahmed Hill and Treveon Graham.

However, there will be a few returning faces from both sides to keep an eye on. There’s Alex Campbell and Malcolm Duvivier for the Bandits, both of whom averaged double figure scoring throughout the two games last year. Campbell specifically found success against the Alliance as he averaged 14 points and 4.5 rebounds in the matchup.

Meanwhile, Kemy Ossé, Alain Louis, and Nathan Cayo will all be returning for Montréal as well. Cayo had his best game of the 2022 season against Vancouver when he put up a season-high 25 points on 10-13 shooting to go with six rebounds. He found similar success in both matchups as the forward averaged 20.5 points on a stellar 76.5 per cent shooting through their two games.

Fast forward to now, and this will be the final contest of a three-game home stand where the Bandits are still looking for their first win. They’re currently riding a two-game losing streak at Langley Events Centre and have been struggling as of late, losing four of their last five in general.

Their latest defeat of 96-91 came at the hands of the defending champion Brampton Honey Badgers this past Friday. Vancouver found themselves down as many as 20 points in that game before making a late rally that ultimately fell short of a victory. It was their poor shooting throughout the night that eventually caught up to them as the Bandits shot just 39 per cent from the field and 25 per cent from distance.

However, despite the loss, the team had some bright spots they can look to build upon. The aforementioned Duvivier put up a season-high 20 points and eight rebounds, which made it four games in a row crossing double figures.

That game also saw the league’s best rebounding team (44.3 RPG) continue their dominance on the glass as Vancouver grabbed 50 boards on the night, also going +8 on offensive rebounds.

Fans of the Bandits hoping to get back in the win column should keep an eye on the squad’s work on the glass as it might just be their way to victory. They’ll be taking on an Alliance team that ranks second-last in the league for total (36.9 RPG) and offensive rebounds (9.3 ORPG), and with the duo of Benzhanishvili and Ward both ranking in the top-10, averaging a collective 17 boards a game, the recipe might be there.

On the other side the Alliance enter the game with their own two-game losing streak, most recently losing to the Western Conference leading Winnipeg Sea Bears in a 96-88 score. In that matchup, said rebounding struggles for Montréal hurt them all night as they were a -6 on the glass, subsequently giving up 14 offensive boards and a +9 edge on second chance points.

Another area Alliance fans should like to see the team bounce back from is their weak bench production. The squad’s second unit got thoroughly outworked against the Sea Bears as only two players scored a basket off the pine for Montréal, with the bench getting outscored 29-4.

Even in the loss, the Alliance’s starting lineup – even without backup – looked impressive as four of five starters scored over double-digits. Cayo returned to his strong form to lead the way, tying his season-high of 28 points, after struggling in their previous outing with just seven. The forward’s now scored 28 points in three of his team’s last five games as the he’s been averaging 21.6 points on 58 per cent shooting during that span.

Meanwhile, Hill added in 26 points on over 40 per cent shooting from the field and beyond the arch, continuing his own hot play as of late. The team’s top-scorer is now tied for fourth in the league, averaging 20.1 points per game, and has been on a tear as the guard’s scored over 25 points in four of the team’s last six games and has been putting up 24.7 points a night during that span.

Keep an eye on the pairing as they look to use their individual success and translate that into a team victory.

With Vancouver already having secured a spot at Championship Weekend as the host city, this game won’t help their odds of getting in, but can help in terms of seeding. They are just one game back of the third place Edmonton Stingers, and if they can rattle off some wins, they could find themselves back in the mix out West.

Montréal after their back-to-back losses is now tied with Brampton at the bottom of the East. So, a win would be crucial in creating half a game of separation as the teams battle for a playoff spot in the final days of the 2023 regular season.

Bandits Nearly Complete Comeback Versus Honey Badgers

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 14:42:29 GMT

Vancouver looks to rebound vs. Montréal this Sunday, July 16th at LEC.

LANGLEY, B.C. , July 14, 2023 – The search for consistency continues for the Vancouver Bandits .

Following a strong opening quarter where they led 19-18, the Bandits surrendered 33 points over the next 10 minutes and found themselves trailing by double digits for nearly the rest of the game.

The end result was a 96-91 loss to the visiting Brampton Honey Badgers on Friday night in Canadian Elite Basketball League action at Langley Events Centre.

The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the Honey Badgers, who improved to 6-9, while the Bandits lost a third-straight game to see their record fall to 5-9.

“Lots of learning,” said Vancouver’s Diego Maffia of what the players can take away from the defeat. “Another game where we are down 20 and then it is too little, too late.

“It is a bad habit of ours to get down and then crawl back and get energy. It is almost like ‘OK, six minutes left in the game? Now we are going to start to defend.’”

Trailing 87-72 heading into Target Score time, the Bandits finally made their push, getting the score down to 95-91 thanks to a 19-8 spurt. But pressing for a steal, the team was whistled for a foul with Christian Vital sinking the winner for the Honey Badgers.

The Bandits could not overcome that shaky first half, especially the second quarter where they were outscored 33-19 and outrebounded 14-6.

The Honey Badgers’ trio of Koby McEwen (13 points), Jeremiah Tilmon Jr. (12 points) and Vital (12 points) combined for 37 points, matching the entire output of all nine Bandits players who stepped on the floor as Brampton took a 52-37 lead to the locker room.

Vancouver can look at their struggles from beyond the arc in that first half – they shot 3-for-15 (20 per cent) in the first 20 minutes. For the game, the team was 9-for-36 on 3-point attempts (25 per cent).

Brampton coach Antoine Broxsie said his team knew Vancouver’s Nick Ward would get his touches down low in the paint, but the strategy was to make sure the Bandits’ outside shooters were constantly marked and did not get open looks at the basket.

“Nick is going to do this thing, but we can’t allow their other shooters to get off. This team can run off threes like that. That is one of the messages I wanted to get to my team,” Broxsie said.

As for his team snapping a five-game losing streak – a full quarter of their regular season – the coach said the victory was huge in the packed eastern conference standings where third to fifth place is separated by 1.5 games.

“I loved that they played together. They had a certain edge that I haven’t seen for a couple of weeks,” he said.

Over in the other locker room, Vancouver is still in search of answers.

“In our last two games, we have had portions where we really look like we are clicking. And then what happens is we lose our way and we weren’t able to sustain what we want to achieve offensively and defensively,” said Bandits assistant coach Tony Scott.

“If we can transfer how we played in the Target Score section into a full game, then we have what we want to do. We have the chemistry we need; we have the ability to play offence and defence, we have the flow, the quickness. But we haven’t been able to bridge that gap yet.”

For the second straight game, Malcolm Duvivier led the offence, this time with a team-high 20 points. He also had eight rebounds.

Giorgi Bezhanishvili scored 18 and also had 10 rebounds while Doug Herring Jr. had 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds and Ward had 15 points and eight rebounds.

Vital led the Honey Badgers with 20 points, while McEwen and Cody John both scored 18.

Vancouver – which is guaranteed one of the four spots in the CEBL’s Championship Weekend in August as the host team – has six games remaining to find its rhythm.

“We just have to be consistent. We have moments in games where we have lapses, we lose focus, we are not rebounding, we are not defending,” Maffia said.

“We have to tighten that up and just be consistent throughout the game, so we only have little lapses. Runs are going to happen, but just limit it to little lapses and we will be good.”

Next up for the Bandits is a visit from the Montréal Alliance to Langley Events Centre on Sunday, July 16. Tip-off is 5 p.m. PT for Vancouver’s second annual girls and women in sports game night

Single game tickets for the fifth season of Bandits Basketball are available for purchase at this link .

More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter .

Full Game Highlights | Bandits vs. Brampton (07/14/23)

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 19:56:45 GMT

Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits hosting the Brampton Honey Badgers on July 14, 2023.

Vancouver Bandits Look to Get Back on Track Tonight

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 17:28:10 GMT

The Vancouver Bandits (5-8) (+105) and Brampton Honey Badgers (5-9) (-143) will both look to snap extended losing streaks tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. local at the Langley Events Centre.

The game will also be available for streaming on TSN+, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor , and on the CEBL Mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

The Honey Badgers come into tonight’s game as losers of five straight, while the Bandits are riding a two-game skid after dropping their last match 97-93 at home to the eastern conference-leading Ottawa BlackJacks on July 9.

Forward Nick Ward put up a 15 point, 10 rebound double-double in a losing effort, which also marked Vancouver’s fourth loss in five games.

Despite the recent skids, both teams are armed with plenty of offensive weapons and not out of playoff contention.

The Honey Badgers are only one game behind Montréal for the conference’s final playoff spot. (Vancouver has already clinched a spot in Championship Weekend next month as hosts of the tournament).

Brampton also boasts one of the best backcourts in the league with Christian Vital and Koby McEwen—who both have already flexed their muscles against Vancouver this season.

Vital is averaging 20.1 points per contest, ranking him fourth in the CEBL. He is also second in the league in steals per game (2.5) and three pointers made this season (42). His backcourt mate, meanwhile, is leading the CEBL in assists (83) and second in free throw percentage (86.6).

Vancouver will look to counter with a combination of veteran guards and two dominate big men on the low post.

Malcolm Duvivier, the longest tenured Bandit, has been with the team since April 2020 and is averaging 10 points and 6 rebounds in his fourth season with the club. The Toronto product recorded a team-high 18 points in Vancouver’s last game on July 9.

Inside, like they have been doing all season, the Bandits will look to feed the combination of Ward and Giorgi Benzhanishvili.

The duo is averaging an identical 17.2 points per game this season and scored a combined 30 points in Vancouver’s loss to Ottawa last weekend. Ward is averaging 7.6 rebounds and over three offensive boards per game. Benzhanishvili, meanwhile, is nearly averaging a double-double, snatching up over 9 rebounds per contest.

The 6’9” Benzhanishvili can also stretch the floor, however, as he is averaging 1.5 threes per game.

Brampton’s Zane Waterman, a 6’8” forward from North Carolina, returned after a three-game absence on July 12—scoring 9 points and recording 3 steals in over 26 minutes. Waterman was sidelined with a thumb injury sustained in June.

The Honey Badgers will need Waterman and forward Jeremiah Tilmon Jr., who is averaging over 10 points and 6 rebounds, to take away the scoring prowess of Ward and Benzhanishvili in order to snap their five-game losing streak.

These two teams last met on June 9 in Brampton. McEwen and Vital combined for 47 points in a 98-74 Honey Badgers rout. Ward scored 21 points and shot better than 81 per cent off the bench in that game.

As a team, Vancouver has the edge in points per game (86.5), but the Bandits are giving up the second most points per game in the CEBL (90.9). Inside the paint, Brampton is averaging four blocks per game, which is third best in the league.

After tonight’s game, Brampton will travel to Saskatchewan for a date with the Rattlers on Monday. Vancouver will cap off a three-game home stand against the Montréal Alliance on Sunday.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .

Vancouver Bandits Fall Short Against Ottawa Blackjacks

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 05:43:05 GMT

LANGLEY, B.C., July 9, 2023 – Second-half struggles on the defensive glass and poor free throw shooting proved costly for the Vancouver Bandits.

The Bandits started the game 10-for-10 from the charity stripe, but made just two of their next 10 at one end of the floor, while at the other, the team surrendered 14 offensive rebounds.

Combined together and it was a 97-93 victory for the visiting Ottawa BlackJacks on Sunday night at Langley Events Centre in Canadian Elite Basketball League action. The win was a sixth-straight for the eastern conference leaders who improved to 10-5 on the season. The loss was a second straight for the Bandits who saw their record slip to 5-8.

“We had a lot of guys just watching them cut, a lot of guys just standing there watching, thinking someone else was going to do it. A lot of those were in the second half and crunch time. Definitely frustrating,” said Bandits head coach Kyle Julius.

A perfect example of this was during Target Score time when the BlackJacks twice secured huge offensive rebounds which led to baskets, including the winning points when Vancouver forced an air ball but JaKeenan Gant was able to snatch the ball midair in traffic at the basket and make the layup.

Through the first 30 minutes, Vancouver led for all but 2:10, including being ahead by 10 points in the third quarter. But following some substitutions by the Bandits, the BlackJacks were able to take advantage, tying the game at 73 after three quarters and then leading the entire fourth quarter and Target Score time.

“We had a good start to that third quarter, we had a 10-point lead, but as soon as we made some subs and some changes, I felt like the game really got away from us. Our body language, our energy changed. A really frustrating second half,” Julius said.

Ottawa entered the game already missing Kadre Gray and his 16.8 points per game and CEBL-best 6.7 assists and lost captain Deng Adel (17.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists) in the second quarter.

BlackJacks coach James Derouin said the key for his team was keeping an eye on the score and using their timeouts to keep the game close. And from there, they received contributions from across the lineup with Jackson Rowe scoring 26 – including four-for-four from beyond the arc – while Michael Flowers (16 points), Gant (13 points), Matthew Coleman III (12 points) and Abu Kigab (12 points) also hit double figures.

“Everyone just pitched in, everyone contributed,” Derouin said. “(And) with Elam, it is not always pretty at the end of the game.”

Malcolm Duvivier led the Bandits with 18 points, but all of those came in the first three quarters. Giorgi Bezhanishvili and Nick Ward each scored 15 points while Duane Notice added 14, a dozen of which came from the three-point line. Ward also had 10 rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.

Derouin said his team made a concentrated effort at trying to tire Ward out.

“You are just hanging on for dear life with Nick down there. He is such a great player. The only thing we were trying to do was tire him out throughout the game with some pace and some running and multiple bodies,” he said. “That is really your only hope with Nick is that you can tire him out because there is not really anyone in the league who can guard him.”

Marlon Johnson Jr. also made his Vancouver debut with 13 points.

Julius said Johnson’s presence played a large factor in the Bandits’ offensive success as Vancouver became the first team in eight games to surpass 90 points against Ottawa. The Bandits finished with 27 assists on their 34 field goals, by far their highest assist numbers of the season.

Of those 27 assists, point guard Doug Herring Jr. finished with eight.